Post by: Thaddeus on April 09, 2017, 07:10:56 AM
The topics "Scouting reports (trips to areas relevant to the comic)" and "Fan photos of real places in SSSS" have been merged. Hopefully having both in the same place will make it easier for people to look through these pictures and enjoy them :)
- Gwenno (4th April 2020)
I just got a chance to go to Copenhagen and spent some time wandering the streets. Unfortunately, I didn't have wifi access most of the time, so I couldn't check as many places as I wanted to, but I DID snap this photo of my partner at a very iconic SSSS spot:
(http://i68.tinypic.com/24fk4d4.jpg)
....and one of me...
(http://i63.tinypic.com/25tg8ls.jpg)
Does anyone else have any SSSS-related photos?
- Gwenno (4th April 2020)
I just got a chance to go to Copenhagen and spent some time wandering the streets. Unfortunately, I didn't have wifi access most of the time, so I couldn't check as many places as I wanted to, but I DID snap this photo of my partner at a very iconic SSSS spot:
(http://i68.tinypic.com/24fk4d4.jpg)
....and one of me...
(http://i63.tinypic.com/25tg8ls.jpg)
Does anyone else have any SSSS-related photos?
Post by: Athena on April 09, 2017, 01:37:28 PM
Welcome to the forum, Thaddeus! If you want to introduce yourself, you can do so over here. (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=131.0) :)
Post by: Johannabelle on April 09, 2017, 03:09:20 PM
I went to Copenhagen back in December, and now I that I have an excuse to post photos:
(http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj561/Jobella01/IMG_7667_zpso2nuvqql.jpg)
(http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj561/Jobella01/IMG_7670_zpsg8xl1qsy.jpg)
A bridge into Kastellet and a blurry photo of Kastellet from this scene: http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=456 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=456)
And of course the classic:
(http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj561/Jobella01/IMG_7671_zpsxcdfbq1k.jpg)
Post by: Auxivele on April 09, 2017, 03:53:59 PM
(And another welcome to you, Thaddeus!)
Post by: GeiYin on April 09, 2017, 04:18:39 PM
For sure this one:
(https://pp.userapi.com/c836232/v836232758/2b16e/D0bVVmpQ_sM.jpg)
Also Öresund bridge! (Not really sure because it was in 2007, so i was only 12 and I don't remember everything, but it should be it! Cause we were going from Denmark to Sweden by bus)
(https://pp.userapi.com/c836232/v836232758/2b164/-_xVYvWN5D4.jpg)
(https://pp.userapi.com/c836232/v836232758/2b15a/ePnVyrwgqVo.jpg)
And some fjords near Bergen (should it be counted as fictional Dalsnes?)
Spoiler: show
If it's not, so here's Bergen itself! (I know, not literally a SSSS-place either, but at least it was mentioned!)
Spoiler: show
Also photos of Norway are from 2008
Post by: JacobThomsen on April 09, 2017, 06:02:15 PM
Also Öresund bridge! (Not really sure because it was in 2007, so i was only 12 and I don't remember everything, but it should be it! Cause we were going from Denmark to Sweden by bus)Close enough, that's Storebælt bridge between Fyn and Sjælland (Zealand). But it also counts since it was briefly shown on page 536.
Post by: Purple Wyrm on April 09, 2017, 07:41:41 PM
I'm a big fan of chasing down and photographing fictionalised locations - I photographed a bunch of places from Warren Ellis's FreakAngels (https://www.flickr.com/photos/wyrmworld/albums/72157622032424327) back in 2009 and Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London (https://www.flickr.com/photos/wyrmworld/sets/72157673567425606) just last year.
Post by: Thaddeus on April 10, 2017, 06:19:30 AM
(http://i63.tinypic.com/4gjekn.jpg)
We couldn't find the medical building, however, even though we looked around for it.
Post by: Jitter on December 30, 2019, 08:02:36 AM
I have some photos from the trip as well so it occurred to me to post some on the Forum. I didn’t find a suitable thread so here it is.
Post here your photos and stories of (real) visits to places relevant to the comic!
Post by: Jitter on December 30, 2019, 08:06:05 AM
Scouting report: Eastern Finland
Dates: 23-28 December
Scout: Jitter
Areas covered: Mikkeli, Varkaus, Outokumpu (outskirts), Pielinen (eastern side, Koli area), Joensuu (Outskirts), Heinävesi (Karvio canal, north of Kermajärvi)
Trolls detected: ei
Beasts detected: ei
Grosslings implied: ei
Traces of previous grossling activity detected: ei
Notes: Towards the start of mission, weather was disappointingly mild, however no grossling activity or presence was detected. From the 26th onwards temperature lowered and on the 28th reached a satisfactory -20 Celcius (-4 F) that is expected to clean out any unprotected grosslings.
Recommendations:
Movement within the area during winter is possible, however please note the following:
- keep close watch on the temperature, it may well rise high enough to allow grossling activity
- the area remains part of Silent Finland in the wintertime as well. Any non-immunes are strongly advised to stay out of the area at all times.
- should you intend to enter the area, make sure to check with the Sentinel Mage checkpoint at Kerma
- good luck
Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmKmXSWd
Post by: Róisín on December 30, 2019, 08:06:55 AM
Post by: Jitter on December 30, 2019, 08:09:28 AM
I tried to post a photo but it doesn’t show, does it?
Post by: Grade E cat on December 30, 2019, 09:51:59 AM
Post by: Jitter on December 30, 2019, 10:27:33 AM
However seeing as that thread has ceased in 2017, would it be bad to keep this new one?
Post by: Jitter on December 30, 2019, 10:33:36 AM
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmKmXSWd
I have read Lenny’s instructions but I’m doing something wrong!
Post by: wavewright62 on December 30, 2019, 03:53:00 PM
Post by: Jitter on December 30, 2019, 08:54:43 PM
Post by: Vulpes on January 01, 2020, 10:32:15 AM
Post by: Jitter on January 01, 2020, 05:49:07 PM
Post by: Vulpes on January 02, 2020, 07:16:36 PM
Post by: Jitter on January 04, 2020, 08:31:27 AM
Post by: Purple Wyrm on January 06, 2020, 11:45:45 PM
Hmmm, should I fly straight to Kastrup, or fly into Gothenburg and get a train across the Oresund? Or maybe get the ferry from Gothenburg across to Jutland and retrace the crew's trip in reverse? So many options!
Post by: Róisín on January 07, 2020, 09:24:43 AM
Post by: Purple Wyrm on January 07, 2020, 07:29:03 PM
The same trip will (I hope) take in Iceland, so if I do end up going via Gothenburg I'll end up doing Reynir's entire journey in reverse!
Post by: Jitter on January 08, 2020, 12:37:25 AM
Speaking of Iceland, I have pictures from there too, we went last summer. I don’t know where Reynir’s hometown is to be located, but there is general scenery and of course waterfalls and geysers.
When we were booking, there was a flat in Reykjavik available called “Reynir’s lodge” (or something like that), but unfortunately it was a lot more expensive for our days so couldn’t book it :) Iceland has very strict policy on names so you’re likely to meet someone named Reynir there! And you’ll definitely have to see it’s very expensive. Finland isn’t cheap but Iceland is something else! Nevertheless well worth the investment, I loved it and absolutely want to go again!
Post by: Purple Wyrm on January 08, 2020, 08:06:03 AM
Hopefully in somewhat nicer quarters though :)
No! I shall insist on being shipped in a crate! ;D
Speaking of Iceland, I have pictures from there too, we went last summer. I don’t know where Reynir’s hometown is to be located, but there is general scenery and of course waterfalls and geysers.
That's what I'm looking forwards to!
When we were booking, there was a flat in Reykjavik available called “Reynir’s lodge” (or something like that), but unfortunately it was a lot more expensive for our days so couldn’t book it :) Iceland has very strict policy on names so you’re likely to meet someone named Reynir there! And you’ll definitely have to see it’s very expensive. Finland isn’t cheap but Iceland is something else! Nevertheless well worth the investment, I loved it and absolutely want to go again!
The expense is why it's going to be a couple of years before I can go. Got to save up! I'm planning to go in the off season though when things will be a bit cheaper, and a but less crowded.
Post by: Jitter on January 08, 2020, 08:41:46 AM
We went in late June (had a stopover in Reykjavik on the way from Helsinki to Toronto) and were warned that it’s going to be very crowded but it wasn’t too bad. There were people at all of the sights that are close to Reykjavik, and often you had to wait a bit to get a photo without anyone in it, but still it was ok. Of course only as we took it to be sightseeing rather than hiking - not much of a wilderness feel at the popular sites. But it’s great that so many of the really great places are so close to Reykjavik- you get to see a lot even in one day. Nevertheless we’d love to go back and I think we will, perhaps early June next time, or end of May if we go without the kids (school summer break starts at end of May or early June).
August and late July are right out, those are the times when most Europeans have holiday and it’s not the best time to travel anywhere in Europe if you have the choice. In Finland schools start again in mid-August so it’s suddenly much quieter but it also means that some summer places close already around then.
Post by: euseevius on April 03, 2020, 10:54:51 AM
First, the obvious one:
(https://i.imgur.com/VURfWso.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/9wy6AXB.jpg)
And then the one I can't be 100% sure about, but I'm still pretty convinced of.
(https://i.imgur.com/VTZpSXI.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/5oSKpxt.jpg)
Mostly bc the building on the right matches quite nicely. This (https://i.imgur.com/Idwj6Os.jpg) could still also be it, tho.
No bears encountered (thank god ;D), even if there was less people than there would've been on a Friday evening a couple weeks back. No other beasts either, but I did see some cute dogs getting walked.
Post by: Jitter on April 03, 2020, 12:33:37 PM
Too bad the bars are closing, can't go around claiming to not be drinking at all, just looking for a whopping big not-quite-alive bear :)
Now that I'm reminded of the thread, would you like to see some Icelandic scenery to brighten up the isolation?
Post by: euseevius on April 03, 2020, 01:07:02 PM
And yes please, show us the beautiful Icelandic scenery!
Post by: thorny on April 03, 2020, 01:18:32 PM
even if there was less people than there would've been on a Friday evening a couple weeks back.
I was looking at those pictures thinking how scary those empty streets look -- because that's probably about what they would have looked like in daylight in year 1.
Post by: Vulpes on April 04, 2020, 03:06:59 PM
Did some scouting today after work, very much based on Jitter's speculations on Disqus. :D
First, the obvious one:
(https://i.imgur.com/VURfWso.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/9wy6AXB.jpg)
Interesting - both in your photo and in street view, it is much more open; could be the angle but I'm having a hard time visualizing a viewpoint that would match the comic. It's making me wonder if that was a conscious choice, to make it feel claustrophobic, as though if you enter a city, you're hemmed in and terribly vulnerable.
Post by: Jitter on April 11, 2020, 01:52:13 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/j2vzP4SW/F2241725-0-DE2-42-BC-A864-76234-E1-FB38-C.jpg)
Site of the Icelandic parliament, the Althingi, located in Þingvellir, now a natural park. The parliament gathered here from 930 until 1798 and is the oldest parliament in the world still in existence.
Waterfalls
Spoiler: show
Geysers
Spoiler: show
Landscape (a couple of examples here, more in the album linked below). Unfortunately most are taken from the car.
Spoiler: show
Album on Postimage, about 50 pictures, for some reason they went into a very random order
https://postimg.cc/gallery/hSwQD4T
Post by: Keep Looking on April 11, 2020, 09:11:45 PM
Post by: Jitter on April 11, 2020, 09:30:47 PM
At that time there wasn’t too much crowding, people everywhere yes but as you can see in the pictures it was still easy to see the land. Late July or August however are out of the question, I’m told by a friend who goes on horse riding safaris there every few years.
Post by: Róisín on April 12, 2020, 12:21:05 AM
And it sounds as if the place is very crowded now. I remember spending three summer days (on two of which it most delightfully rained) sitting at Thingvellir with the flowers and the rocks, learning the land there, and seeing only two people, one of whom was watching some sheep graze. We nodded politely to one another, and each of us went on with what we were doing. Both the land and the plants there reminded me a lot of the Burren in Ireland. The land there felt both very peaceful and very active and alive at the same time.
Post by: Jitter on April 12, 2020, 07:47:10 AM
And yes, it’s crowded. Like I said it wasn’t too bad when we went, but no chance of sitting around alone! I added two photos at the end of the album of a waterfall like it was possible to capture alone and how the experience actually had people around (those are some random people, they went around on the stones for a loooooong time). There are lots of tours that take bus-loads of people around “the Golden Circle” where they go to Thingvellir, the geysers, Gulfoss and somewhere else like a greenhouse farm in just a few hours! So, whenever those loads come somewhere it’s going to be crowded. The good thing about the tours is that reading the ads made us realize how close the places are, so we rented a car and moving in our own pace managed to see a lot!
The swimming place Gamla Laugin was wonderful, we were afraid it would be packed too since some of the tours include a swim there in the day tour but there weren’t too many people (as can be seen in the picture). If anyone is planning to go, Gamla Laugin is much much better than the Blue Lagoon which is always packed with tourists. There are a number of public baths in Reykjavik which probably are better than either in the high season.
We also had a whale watching trip but didn’t see any. At least there were puffins :)
Post by: Róisín on April 12, 2020, 07:58:27 AM
Post by: wavewright62 on April 12, 2020, 09:45:27 PM
Thank you for taking the flower pictures! It is probably obvious that plants and rocks are very much my thing. People sometimes consider me weird for spending years working my way across the world spending between a few days to nearly a year in the places that answered me, mostly ignoring the ‘tourist attractions’, and either finding work in each place so I could stay there longer or just living off the land, being everything from a farmhand to a lab technician to a short-order cook, and learning a great deal from the whole process. I think it was time well spent.
"I think it was time well-spent." Mistress of understatement, you is. XD
Post by: Jitter on June 01, 2020, 02:09:21 PM
Old water mill in Espoo:
Spoiler: show
Post by: lumilaulu on June 01, 2020, 02:32:23 PM
Post by: Jitter on June 01, 2020, 03:30:57 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/02YjDGh5/9-BFD01-C9-07-AD-408-F-9-A94-8-C2-D4868844-A.jpg)
There is also the manor park and and area with big oaks, which are also lovely but not very relevant so I didn’t include any of those pictures :)
Post by: thorny on June 03, 2020, 12:12:33 PM
It’s a lovely place! And doggo loved the water too, she doesn’t want to go into water, but she was sniffing it all the time :) The stream is quite rapid, perhaps it’d be better to sit on the bank with feet in the water.
Yes I think your dog is very wise not to jump into that! Did you have her leashed to make sure that she didn't?
Indeed a lovely place to sit next to, though.
Post by: Jitter on June 03, 2020, 03:54:51 PM
Post by: Jitter on July 02, 2020, 03:14:13 AM
1st July
Scout: Jitter (assisted by family and doggo)
Areas cheked: Kermajärvi station, Ylämlly. routes between in Heinävesi, Liperi and Joensuu, Eastern Finland
Summary of findings: trolls detected: 0 Kades detected: 0 Signs of corruption: none Seagulls detected: around two dozen
Report: Kermajärvi station was inspected at around 19:30 on the scouting day. Weather was partially cloudy with a little rain but not heavily overcast. No cause for alarm was identified. Human activity in the area seemed normal (several fishing parties at the rapids). Seagulls first approached the scouting party at Heinävesi town, some 7 km from the station (close flyby by two birds). At Kermankoski, gull activity was focused on one particular area at the “foot” of the rapids. Possibility of a lake troll could not be ruled out, but may have been fish. The gulls didn’t appear more agitated than they normally do.
Kermankoski rapids pictured from upriver (A2 p 149, panel 2), sentinel station is to the left:
(https://i.postimg.cc/pTLzYfPw/62-EF74-F4-D4-A3-4-D20-B983-0-E8-F0-AED40-BA.jpg)
Kermanvirta between the first rapids and the station:
(https://i.postimg.cc/pdWMCT3N/01434568-69-F4-4-AA8-BC18-BE973112-CBA7.jpg)
Seagulls circling an area at the foot of the rapids:
(https://i.postimg.cc/0j6Sh9MZ/A376-C380-D161-4-B53-B76-C-FD0-E9-E769946.jpg)
Approach to the sentinel station:
(https://i.postimg.cc/T3qXnm7q/93-BF05-CB-86-B3-4430-BAC6-D95-F344-C45-BE.jpg)
Sentinel station pictured from northwest (Kermankeidas) (A2 p 149, panel 4):
(https://i.postimg.cc/d1XMJ93v/C6-E2-D882-CA35-47-C4-B6-F0-641-A068-F512-A.jpg)
Exit the station towards the south (not pursued by bear) (A2 p 156 panel 6 and p 168 panel 1)
(https://i.postimg.cc/pdLKKwYW/6-E68-AAA3-1056-404-B-B2-AB-8-EFEE3-ECE8-C8.jpg)
Further pictures from along the route will be supplied later (time to go hiking soon).
Post by: Mirasol on July 02, 2020, 05:51:43 AM
Post by: thegreyarea on July 02, 2020, 09:29:04 AM
Post by: Jitter on July 15, 2020, 02:03:34 PM
1st July
Scout: Jitter (assisted by family and doggo)
Areas cheked: East of Kermajärvi station, Ylämylly. routes between in Heinävesi, Liperi and Joensuu, Eastern Finland
Summary of findings: trolls detected: 0 Kades detected: 0 Signs of corruption: none
Report: Kermajärvi station was inspected at around 19:30 on the scouting day, after which the party proceeded towards generally eastward direction along Route 476 and on to Ylämylly and towards Joensuu. The route of the team was followed past Vihtari, east of which the team turned northward to Route 477 connecting to Route 23, whereas the scouting party continued on the 476 all the way via Liperi to Ylämylly.
Sorry about picture quality, these were all taken from a moving car.
Route 476
(https://i.postimg.cc/RCHK1QfH/5-E4-FCD66-D26-C-4111-BD94-B08-F2-BB72-AE4.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/FsXcTdgn/F2-D247-F5-5-D8-D-4-BA0-9-AB8-733-DC0-DA5449.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/SQcsgZKc/66-C1285-C-AF80-40-F5-A5-B9-9-E9-A70-D586-FA.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/x8Vd0m6k/C3925-F1-C-018-A-4167-B18-C-20727-FFD62-C5.jpg)
Typical sights of buildings and water along the way
(https://i.postimg.cc/P555rTQM/A772-BAA2-FDCC-4955-8-EC8-694-F69095-D1-E.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/g0fzDRFM/24036033-5658-4-FCE-8-DFC-39238138-A1-B9.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/BQgv0XH6/FE544-BA6-8-F9-D-49-C9-B274-C7-C7-B6-CF517-D.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/63qZ7FJk/E45-E37-FD-9960-4-D38-A400-BA32594-F699-C.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/cC88hYJT/7-CD526-D4-E3-BD-4991-B07-C-4-B5-D9-F953-B17.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/V5Q0V6rw/716-CD9-D0-26-FE-420-C-A53-E-5-F113-C752788.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/CKZMk7tB/16226-DA5-8188-4455-A5-BF-244-F57-B3-C73-D.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/d0Z24LVW/DF67-FB37-A583-4-E99-A81-A-7-DF52-CFA62-D9.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/kXwv50Hy/C44-A4514-2-B5-A-4-E94-8-DF8-539-EBD9323-F0.jpg)
Ylämylly (loon lake behind the trees), see p 265
(https://i.postimg.cc/qR88HSny/F4-FAF0-E3-1106-427-D-936-F-A560-C29-BCCC9.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/YCsN61MG/83-B14-F85-00-A3-448-C-93-DE-819-FD58-B96-BE.jpg)
Ylämylly - Marjala (one of these is the wolf pack bridge)
(https://i.postimg.cc/8z6jj3kY/39-B8-C17-F-C073-4-CF2-B56-E-997-EDCBCCAC0.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/HsKrWHm5/BE8-F1-E3-A-F1-CA-4847-9-A3-A-DE4-B543-F3858.jpg)
Album with more of the same: https://postimg.cc/gallery/wzrz45Z
Post by: Buteo on July 17, 2020, 02:35:32 AM
Post by: Jitter on July 17, 2020, 04:00:06 AM
There are more, from Joensuu. I don’t know if now would be a good time to post them, or later when the comic goes further into the city.
Then I have lots of photos with general relevance such as wooden boats, I don’t know if they should go here or somewhere else.
Here is btw the only monster we did see during the trip, it’s in Mikkeli:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Pfm0y5SB/Mikkeli-Visulahti-troll.jpg)
Post by: Keep Looking on July 17, 2020, 05:45:45 AM
(And I've really been enjoying your scouting trip pics!)
Post by: Jitter on July 17, 2020, 06:46:48 AM
Oh and the photo is of a theme park entrance in Mikkeli, it's been there for decades and is a source amusement for my family when we drive past. When the kids were smaller, we were always "stay tuned, the dinosaur is soon on the right side of the road!"
Post by: Alkia on July 17, 2020, 10:52:19 AM
Also, I couldn't resist sharing this: the Mikkeli dinosaur has a cousin in the USA!!! whenever we drive to Boston there is this orange dinosaur that has been on the side of the highway for also decades, and we do the same thing you do and anticipate it's sighting ;D
(https://i.imgur.com/4VRsye3.jpg)
sorry for the small photo, it was hard to get a good picture
Post by: Jitter on July 17, 2020, 12:15:06 PM
Post by: Mirasol on July 17, 2020, 02:51:55 PM
(So, about that monster. Do you think a crew should be sent out to investigate the situation or is it not that dangerous?)
Post by: Jitter on July 17, 2020, 04:49:39 PM
I think the monster is mostly safe, it hasn’t moved at all for... over 30 years I think :)
Post by: Jitter on August 03, 2020, 05:07:35 PM
There are some more pictures in the album now, including the Käsämä outpost. The album is here: https://postimg.cc/gallery/wzrz45Z
Post by: Mirasol on August 03, 2020, 06:54:44 PM
Post by: Jitter on August 04, 2020, 05:16:02 PM
We went hiking today so pretty Finland photos but none of actual comic locations. Tomorrow Joensuu!
Post by: Jitter on August 05, 2020, 03:17:29 PM
Toivosaari is propably more to the west, somewhere between the texts “Linnasaaren kansallispuisto” (Linnasaari National Park) and “Haukivesi” (name of lake, part of Greater Saimaa) on the map. But the route between Oravi and Kerma is probably the same (compare map on p 148).
They had also taken some pictures! Unfortunately not very good quality to begin with, and I then took photos of the computer screen... but maybe they will give you some idea? Highlights include Kerma rapids seen from the water as on p149 and the canals Pilppa, Vihovuonne and Kerma where the crew must have carried the boat as shown at the bottom of p 148.
Photos under cut, unfortunately in somewhat random order.
Spoiler: show
Post by: wavewright62 on August 06, 2020, 09:11:17 PM
Risk analysis does, however, include the possbility of vehicular mishap due to possible distraction. 'Theme parks' also include a known risk load, including but not limited to: overstimulation, fatigue, dehydration, emesis, and disorientation. The scouting images of trees in motion next to stationary buildings suggest a localisaed effect that should be monitored further.
Scout is authorised to gather further data, and approval is granted for observation of selected mammalian genera in transit.
Post by: Jitter on August 07, 2020, 03:23:54 AM
Jitter out.
Post by: Jitter on August 13, 2020, 02:30:15 PM
Area: Joensuu - University and Centre
Date: August 4 2020
Scout: Jitter, assisted by family and doggo
Trolls detected: no
Troll activity detected: yes
Threat level assessment: very high
In Joensuu, the university area and Yliopistokatu was surveyed in detail. In the central area the Market Square and Craft quarter (Taitokortteli) were surveyed and other areas of the Centre checked briefly.
Even during this limited investigation, very alarming signs were detected!
Firstly, upon arrival to scene of Onni and the Troll onna Stick, it was immediately noted that the Metla building, where Onni hid as part of his ruse, was partially covered in whitish membranes. This was assessed to be the work of several trolls or possibly one giant.
Secondly, in the sweep of the central area, a community center was noted to have put up a grim warning about the Surma. No further details were available, but it appears likely Surma has attacked the city before and warnings were put up in anticipation of another attack.
Appendix A contains further images of the Metla building for thegreyarea and anybody else interested in wood architecture.
Conclusion: extremely dangerous area! Do not approach! Immediate actions to resolve the Surma threat are required.
Selection of photos below, entire folder here: https://postimg.cc/gallery/XZRjCdz
Yliopistokatu (p 305-306)
(https://i.postimg.cc/qRSXtHJ9/P305.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/FKBNJD2M/Area-of-p-305-306.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/43bpfHqH/Yliopistokatu-and-oaks.jpg)
University and Metla building
P308, note troll wrapping!
(https://i.postimg.cc/XqJQTk2g/P308-Onni-s-building-wrapped.jpg)
Onni’s building pictured from the courtyard
(https://i.postimg.cc/RVcNk6Yk/Onni-s-building-from-courtyard-p308-311.jpg)
Wall detail captured from outside of the infestation
(https://i.postimg.cc/RFvPTBKy/Onni-s-building-wall-structure-example-p308-311.jpg)
Opposite building (part of University, background on p 313
(https://i.postimg.cc/PJyvhHyj/P313_background.jpg)
Joensuu centre
Surma warning for residents
(https://i.postimg.cc/90STf62r/Surma-warning.jpg)
Rantakatu (p255)
(https://i.postimg.cc/vmdrfwVn/P255-panel-1.jpg)
Market square
(https://i.postimg.cc/B6bBQcF7/Market-sqare.jpg)
Crafts quarter
(https://i.postimg.cc/g2K7xswG/Crafts-quarter.jpg)
Residential street
(https://i.postimg.cc/15GCdBrD/Centre-residential.jpg)
Riverside
(https://i.postimg.cc/BbDY4B99/Riverside.jpg)
Lalli and Onni’s park (Suvantokatu / Kirkkokatu corner)
(https://i.postimg.cc/ryv33KX2/Lalli-statue-in-park.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/qBtW12FG/Onni-statue-in-park.jpg)
Appendix A: further pictures of Metla building (Onni’s building)
Spoiler: show
Post by: Mebediel on August 13, 2020, 03:17:34 PM
Post by: Jitter on August 13, 2020, 03:30:15 PM
Post by: JoB on August 13, 2020, 05:15:57 PM
I have no idea what’s the story of the statues :) I’m sure you can imagine my mirth when I spied the lynx statue, went to look, and fond an owl statue in the same park! Onni seems to have offspring too. Or maybe he’s just a very well appreciated mage teacher.Google tells me that the statues are named "Joensuun ilves (https://joensuuntaidemuseo.fi/julkinen-taide/-/asset_publisher/eA2sZR2Noayg/content/joensuun-ilves)" (lynx, by Noora Nevalainen, 2012) and "Laulupuiston linnut (https://joensuuntaidemuseo.fi/julkinen-taide/-/asset_publisher/eA2sZR2Noayg/content/laulupuiston-linnut)" (owls, by Karoliina Nieminen, 2015), respectively.
And then there were wolves (https://gramho.com/explore-hashtag/Kosiosusi) ...
Post by: Jitter on August 13, 2020, 06:24:03 PM
But, I didn’t know the boy wolf has gotten a fiancee last year. We didn’t happen to walk right there. The Courting Wolf is very much loved (including by my kids) so it’s nice his courting efforts are having an effect finally!
Post by: thegreyarea on August 13, 2020, 06:48:30 PM
Most important, however, is that you managed to get out of that dangerous area unharmed! That Surma warning is frightening!
Back to the building, Minna did a great job, as usual, depicting the wooden parts. It's a very interesting building, although I don't usually analyze buildings before knowing them personally. There's a whole level of perception that only walking and touching brings. I'd only say that the entrance seems a bit to humble for such a big building, but there may be reasons... I'll look at it carefully, but would just add that the facade where Onni was hiding really has some strong resemblance with something I did around 10 years ago (but mine, a coffee shop, is smaller, just about 5m high). I can't say more without making it too easy to find out who I am, but here's a picture:
Spoiler: show
The statues are also an incredible coincidence! Wasn't there one with a translucent bird? Or maybe a tall person with a very long braid? :)
Oh, it's so good to be back at the forum! I missed you guys!
Post by: Richard Weir on August 13, 2020, 06:54:37 PM
Wow. English steals vocabulary, and apparently it infects other languages as well. SO sad.
(I assume this is a tourist trap?)
Loving the reports! Amusing and interesting!
Post by: Mirasol on August 13, 2020, 07:27:47 PM
Great scouting-report, I´m glad you didn´t encounter whatever troll put this membrane over the other building. If it can do that it sounds very dangerous. That Surma-warning truly is terrifying. And who would have thought that they already put up statues of two of our heroes. :'D
Post by: Jitter on August 14, 2020, 07:26:35 AM
Grey, I agree with your comment that you don’t get the feel of a building from photos, especially from such amateur ones. I actually like the entrance, first when coming from the street you step between the greyish walls into the inner courtyard which is a nice space, and the main door is from there. The black thing is a meeting room and a famous feature of the building, the covering is built utilizing a very traditional technique that has been used for roofs of important buildings such a churches, “paanu” (paanukatto).
Post by: Jitter on August 14, 2020, 09:35:24 AM
The big sign Arts and Crafts is geared towards tourists of course, but it’s far from a tourist trap :) I have more pictures from there but I’m not sure how relevant they are.
Post by: wavewright62 on August 14, 2020, 05:41:23 PM
I have no idea what’s the story of the statues :) I’m sure you can imagine my mirth when I spied the lynx statue, went to look, and fond an owl statue in the same park! Onni seems to have offspring too. Or maybe he’s just a very well appreciated mage teacher.
Gosh, I wish Minna had managed to include one or both of those. (Peers under the signs and corpse of the 'diversion' to see if that's what's supporting them.) Probably not appropriate to the tension of the scene, but still.
Post by: thegreyarea on August 14, 2020, 06:25:50 PM
The “membrane” crew really was trolling me! The part of the building is usually the tax office i.e. a public place, I would have been able to go inside the space where Onni is hiding (or at least to see if there is a big space like that in this part too). But the entire wing was closed for the renovations. Irritating.Those irritating trolls! But I'm sure you will have other opportunities in the future when they relocate somewhere else. Just don't put yourself in risk. :)
Grey, I agree with your comment that you don’t get the feel of a building from photos, especially from such amateur ones. I actually like the entrance, first when coming from the street you step between the greyish walls into the inner courtyard which is a nice space, and the main door is from there. The black thing is a meeting room and a famous feature of the building, the covering is built utilizing a very traditional technique that has been used for roofs of important buildings such a churches, “paanu” (paanukatto).
Your pictures are pretty good. Anyway, here's a more complete report on Archidaily, including also floor plans, elevations and details for anyone that may be interested
https://www.archdaily.com/15951/metla-forest-research-centre-sarc-architects (https://www.archdaily.com/15951/metla-forest-research-centre-sarc-architects)
(I still think that the entrance, being well-designed, is a bit too small for the building, but that may have other reasons to be, including cultural ones)
Post by: Jitter on August 14, 2020, 09:19:08 PM
Post by: Jitter on July 26, 2021, 10:35:24 AM
Area: Koli and Paalasmaa islands at Pielinen
Date: June 30 2021
Scout: Jitter, assisted by family and doggo
Trolls detected: no
Troll activity detected: no
Troll activity indicated: yes
Threat level assessment: average
The scouting party dedicated a full day to sweeping the Koli area. First the party approached from Joensuu along the Highway 6. The party noted that ample warning signs about moose beast activity was located in the area, however the signage failed to be as effective as possible, as it only depicted the most common number of legs on moose beasts.
(https://i.postimg.cc/QC8cZgnz/Koli1.jpg)
Despite the signs, no beast activity was noted at the Kolinportti station.
(https://i.postimg.cc/tJBWq1K4/Koli3.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/KzhfKMRG/Koli5.jpg)
Approach towards Koli proper was peaceful
(https://i.postimg.cc/jq7pWCMj/Koli9.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/GpVnTDYX/KoliA2.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/vmcdmh11/KoliA4.jpg)
It was particularly noted that the parking lot had approximately zero camper vans.
(https://i.postimg.cc/CLk60Mgf/KoliA5.jpg)
In the interests of conserving energy, the scouting party took the elevator. The stairs were inspected visually only.
(https://i.postimg.cc/BQ6jFbmd/KoliA6.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Bn37nWS7/KoliA7.jpg)
Area around the hotel also appeared peaceful. Outward inspection did not reveal any signs of troll infestation or structural instability.
(https://i.postimg.cc/4yx75QgT/KoliB4.jpg)
While no trolls or beasts were detected first hand, the landscape appears to offer numerous opportunities for the grosslings to hide and therefore the sweep is to be considered indicative only.
(https://i.postimg.cc/8cbhtz3q/KoliB8.jpg)
On the other hand, cliffs suitable for dropping of grosslings to their death are also present in the area, unlike much of Finland.
(https://i.postimg.cc/8P1cLHbK/KoliB6.jpg)
At the summit Ukko-Koli the main scout felt strong presence of nature spirits. This must be a place of power, if not a full-blown Lehto!
(https://i.postimg.cc/902kDzZS/KoliC9.jpg)
Upon descent the scouts checked the hotel premises in more detail both outside
(https://i.postimg.cc/zXjpq87d/Koli-Hotel1.jpg)
and in
(https://i.postimg.cc/jSSc5mkR/Koli-Hotel3.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/T1j0L663/Koli-Hotel4.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/J7jPdbkC/Koli-Hotel7.jpg)
The inspection revealed no structural damage, no structural instability, no housekeeping problems such as ick and goo on the walls or ceilings, and no guests glued to their beds (note however that the guest rooms were not fully inspected).
Further material from the trip here: https://postimg.cc/gallery/L2R8YHJ
Post by: Jitter on July 26, 2021, 10:48:41 AM
Area: Joensuu central area and University
Date: July 1 2021
Scout: Jitter, assisted by family and doggo
Trolls detected: no
Troll activity detected: no
Threat level assessment: average
Short sweep of Joensuu to follow up on 2020 trip was a relief. The city appeared peaceful.
(https://i.postimg.cc/xTvMK24K/Xtra-Joensuu-Approach.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/QdRqbbq7/Xtra-Joensuu5.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/FK3VnLPB/Xtra-Lalli-Onni-Park.jpg)
The infestation detected in the University area back in 2020 was partially cleared, however some of the membrane still remains on the building.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZK4Fsn3f/Xtra-Onni-Building.jpg)
The Käsämä outpost was checked by drive-by only, appears calm
(https://i.postimg.cc/xd4z0TXS/Xtra-K-s-m.jpg)
The scouting party was provided aerial support during the trips, here pictured during the Pielinen sweep.
(https://i.postimg.cc/mDh7St5P/Xtra-Pielinen-Gulls.jpg)
With the aerial support and canine unit, scouting proceeded without danger.
(https://i.postimg.cc/8cc2mBhq/Patrol-Dogs.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/5yrZ7Ygj/Patrol-Dogs6.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/DZxVGYbr/Patrol-Dogs9.jpg)
Based on the observations, the threat level for Joensuu was lowered to AVERAGE. However, the area must be approached with caution, particularly if there are non-immunes in your group.
Post by: JoB on July 26, 2021, 12:28:05 PM
and inAaaaaand the rooms' doors do indeed open into the corridor!
(https://i.postimg.cc/jSSc5mkR/Koli-Hotel3.jpg)
(I wonder how exactly guests are going to find their rooms, though, or are the small rectangular things off on the doors' top corner signs with the room number? Most hotels I've seen put the room number quite prominently onto the door for their visually (or alcoholically) impaired guests ...)
Post by: Opaque on July 26, 2021, 12:30:53 PM
Post by: Jitter on July 26, 2021, 02:25:13 PM
Post by: thegreyarea on July 26, 2021, 03:12:05 PM
Sadly my current trip doesn't cover any SSSS relevant areas. All I can tell is no trolls sighted so far! :)
Post by: Róisín on July 27, 2021, 05:28:35 AM
Post by: Jitter on July 27, 2021, 10:14:33 AM
I don’t mind people going there (it would be quite hypocritical too), but it was pretty irritating that some people left their water bottles and bags on the top of the ledge, thus ruining a key sector of the view on the most important landscape area in the National Park as well as the entire country… some people just can’t really understand they are not the owners of the world!
Post by: Mirasol on September 06, 2021, 06:08:24 PM
(hehe, finally I get to do one of those :'D)
Area: Rømø
Date: August 22- September 5 2021
Scout: Mirasol, assisted by family
Trolls detected: no
Troll activity detected: yes
Troll activity indicated: yes
Ghost activity detected: yes
Threat level assessment: very high
This small island is pretty much on the opposite side of where our heroes landed back in A1, but there is good reason to investigate the ghost-situation in so far unexplored areas of Denmark as well. And it was worth it!
Now, in the first week of scouting, the party detected no troll activity whatsoever. Not very surprising, considering that this island´s population was very small even back in Y0. Following are several proof-pictures of troll-free island areas: (The beaches were so huge that the party needed their vehicle to get to the sea itself.)
(https://i.postimg.cc/tJ8GknVF/20210822-200204.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/mZ19Lf25/20210824-134238.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/m2FsDj0j/20210823-152336.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/x8mNtH42/20210824-152056.jpg)
These sheep seem healthy. It must be an immune population.
(https://i.postimg.cc/vmNWh5vP/20210902-161137.jpg)
No ghosts either. You could technically call the entire area "closer area around an old-world temple", which, as previous scoutings suggested, tend to mean a lack of ghosts unless they migrated there later.
(The ranger in charge also notes that it is quite a pretty church. It has little ships hanging from its ceiling. Unfortunately, she hasn´t taken any pictures in there without family members on them. But google it if you´re interested. It is the only church on the island, you can´t miss it.)
(https://i.postimg.cc/xjZQnhFq/20210823-143355.jpg)
Luckily, the party stayed for another week, or it would have missed
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/839965225351905292/881517206540795915/20210829_143236.jpg)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/839965225351905292/881561503600373820/20210829_150348.jpg)
They seem to have somehow gained the ability to fly! Well, not fly... They are attached to the ground still, only floating in the wind. This skill seems to have taken its toll though, as they are otherwise incapable of moving on their own, without the air´s assistance. However, approaching them too closely isn´t advisable, they may fall down.
It appears some of them are imitating pop-culture figures of the old world, possibly to lure in unsuspecting victims.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/839965225351905292/881561503306743848/20210829_150559.jpg)
Some others resemble animals. Perhaps the beings are beasts?
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/839965225351905292/881561674711203910/20210829_172635.jpg)
Yet another sub-group of them prefers to remain on the ground, utilizing the air to make a hopping movement. Still do not approach! It is unknown what they are capable of!
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/839965225351905292/881561503852007424/20210829_150451.jpg)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/839965225351905292/883733550556401684/20210904_163233.jpg)
The scouting party was shocked to notice that, after the smaller specimen who arrived first, the new ones coming in increased massively in size. The largest one reported is as big as several old world vehicles!
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/839965225351905292/883733270225883166/20210904_153350.jpg)
Here are some slightly smaller ones, that the ranger in charge would also qualify as giants:
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/839965225351905292/883738268703793192/20210904_152711.jpg)
Perhaps worst of all, they´re active both during the day and the night! And glow during the night!
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/839965225351905292/884011927985066014/20210904_212046.jpg)
The scouting party has returned home by now. The strange beasts didn´t seem too interested in attacking, but may still be very dangerous. To be safe the ranger in charge has deemed the danger in the Rømø area VERY HIGH for now. (The beings seem to migrate frequently though and as long as they aren´t there the area is completely safe.) Waiting for further instructions by HQ.
Spoiler: OOC • show
Post by: Vulpes on September 06, 2021, 08:06:50 PM
Wonderful photos, I especially like the row of pilings at the waters edge. Is that for a fish weir, do you know?
Post by: Mirasol on September 08, 2021, 02:49:21 PM
As for the pilings, I´m not sure, but I kind of doubt it. the water there was maybe a few centimeters deep, and there were no warning signs anywhere that you shouldn´t park your car on that area of the beach because of high tide (There are cars allowed on the beaches because they´re so large. The water doesn´t get very far onto them, and if, it´s not very deep.) My best guess is that the pilings were there to keep people from driving their cars onto the other side, where the water was in fact deeper.
Post by: Jitter on September 08, 2021, 03:37:39 PM
As for the pilings, I´m not sure, but I kind of doubt it.
After some research, the military history skalds are convinced the poles are remnants of some sort of seawall. Their existence may explain why the migrating beasts are airborne.
The skalds would also specifically thank ranger Mirasol for the thorough report and photographic material. While the extreme warning level prevents further investigation, the skalds are certain they can gleam
Also the kites are so cool! 🤩
Post by: Vulpes on September 08, 2021, 04:15:20 PM
As for the pilings, I´m not sure, but I kind of doubt it. the water there was maybe a few centimeters deep, and there were no warning signs anywhere that you shouldn´t park your car on that area of the beach because of high tide (There are cars allowed on the beaches because they´re so large. The water doesn´t get very far onto them, and if, it´s not very deep.) My best guess is that the pilings were there to keep people from driving their cars onto the other side, where the water was in fact deeper.
That makes sense... I guess I was thinking about it from the point of view of someone who has spent a fair amount of time around the Bay of Fundy, home of the world's largest tides. There are still fish weirs in use in a few areas. In case anyone's interested, here's a documentary about one (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=donTQF-5mEE).
Post by: wavewright62 on September 11, 2021, 05:08:39 PM
I also note your fine work in locating a migration of flying air fish, such as those depicted early in Adv 2.
Post by: Mirasol on July 08, 2023, 06:39:01 AM
Area: Helsinki, Finland
Date: June 16 - June 19 2023 (I know it´s been a while, but you know, as a ranger I have a lot on my plate ^^')
Scout: Mirasol, assisted by parents
Trolls detected: no
Troll activity detected: no
Troll activity indicated: no
Ghost activity detected: no
Threat level assessment: low / high if you mess with the seagulls
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/839965225351905292/1119276650899710022/20230616_120419.jpg)
It´s also the first time I´ve been on a plane since I can remember, so that was exciting. :) This is Germany from above though.
(https://i.postimg.cc/MHzF8Qss/20230616-230210.jpg)
To get into actual pictures from Helsinki. Since it was the week before midsummer it only really started to get dark at 11pm (this is the tower of the central station). Not that I ever go to bed anywhere near earlier than that (which might be part of the problem xD), but it was just basically the middle of the day at 10 at night. Which will be obvious to people like Jitter, but it was new to me. And caused my whole scouting team (mostly cronic nightowls like me) to lose all sense of passing time repeatedly.
(It does get dark later in summer than in winter in Germany, but by 11 it´s usually completely dark, at least where I live.)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/839965225351905292/1120336688472928267/20230617_143353.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/659MHjhs/20230617-143153.jpg)
We were very lucky with the weather, 30°C and not a cloud in sight, despite my mom´s weather app insisting the opposite every single day. So the ideal weather for scouting without running into trolls.
These pictures were taken from the fortress-island(s) Suomenlinna. While it hasn´t been used as a fortress for a long time (it´s a world cultural habitat now), and is mostly a nice location for picknicks today, I´d say it´d still do well as a survivor-colony. Mainly because it´s in a good distance from the shore but not too far out in the sea to be in great danger of (big) seabeasts. Also it absolutely has enough restaurants it would be able to feed people until they can figure out a proper foodsupply.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/839965225351905292/1120336965980659742/20230618_172918.jpg)
There were lot of baby barnacle geese around. Very cute, and their parents weren´t nearly as aggressive as I´m used to from other kinds of geese. Which was a good thing because they were walking their kids on footpaths everywhere, especially on Suomenlinna. So as long as you left them alone, they´d leave you alone, you could peacefully walk past each other.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/839965225351905292/1120340317812568194/20230619_160906.jpg)
The seagulls on the other hand... If the seagulls of Kauppatori defend their home with the same viciousness and level of organization as they use to steal icecream from unsuspecting tourists (luckily didn´t happen to us, but we saw it happening several times), I´d say that place is a lehto for sure (I´d say a survivor-colony, but unless they get a sentinel mage here I doubt they´ll get the seagulls to cooperate with the humans). I suddenly see the phrase "the power of a thousand wings" through completely different eyes...
(I know seagulls have no hesitation when it comes to stealing food, wherever they live. Lost some fries to them on various occasions throughout my life. But the ones here... They´d act like they hate each other, yet have lookout posts on every relevant food-stand on the market square. As soon as someone buys icecream and holds it a little bit too far away from their body, one of the lookouts will hit it out of their hands and all the other seagulls will descend upon it.)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/839965225351905292/1120340578442432532/20230618_182127.jpg)
And I got to use my broken Finnish plenty here! Mainly to try and translate every street-sign and food-menu we came across (which my parents at some point simply resigned themselves to listening to because I was so excited I understood words I wouldn´t stop... ^^' Though the fact everything was written there in Swedish too spoilt the fun a little. Written Swedish is pretty easy to understand as a German...). I couldn´t really gather up the courage to speak it to the locals though. A few times I mentally prepared for ordering food in Finnish, but once I´d come up with a proper sentence one of my parents would have already ordered in English before I could open my mouth.
The cinnamon rolls here were still delicious.
(https://i.postimg.cc/13WvFmGf/20230616-190109.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/BbGrzSwJ/20230618-113813.jpg)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/839965225351905292/1120338716704125078/20230617_181237.jpg)
Other than that, we scouted by doing typical touristy things, like visiting the cathedral, doing a boat-tour around the little islands that are part of the city (not really including Suomenlinna, you can simply take the public-transport-ferry to go there), and going to national library (I don´t know if that last thing is a typical tourist-attraction, but the man we sat next to on the plane, who was a local from Helsinki who works in Germany, highly recommended it to us, and it did not disappoint! Plenty of books of course, in all kinds of languages, but also 3D-Printers, sewing machines, even a recording studio including instruments you can borrow or use with a library card. And the view from the roof was pretty great.)
Lastly, could a native Finnish-speaker please help me with this, but in a food menu I think read the word "karhu-vadelma" as meaning "blackberry". The dictionary I had with me, and that I looked into to double-check, has a slightly different translation for it though, "karhunvattuka". I really like the idea of blackberries being named "bear-rasberries", but now I´m not sure if I misread it.
All in all I´d put the general threat-level here as low. Plenty of birds to defend everything. I didn´t come across any blessed felines, but the seagulls more than made up for it in terms of security. though I wouldn´t count on them caring about anyone´s safety but their own...
I´ll be happy to continue my scouting later this summer in Bornholm, back with my full party again instead of just my parents. To for once do some scouting in a place that´s actually relevant for the comic. :V :P
Post by: Keep Looking on July 08, 2023, 08:03:01 AM
I have also recently been travelling, but in unexplored territory (Singapore and Malaysia to visit relatives, but I saw some hornbills as well which were cool!)
Post by: Jitter on July 10, 2023, 01:29:16 PM
This also reminds me that I did a quick ride-by scouting by train of Mikkeli railway station in June.
Area: Mikkeli, Finland, railway station
Date: June 5th 2023
Scout: Jitter
Trolls detected: no
Troll activity detected: no
Troll activity indicated: no
Ghost activity detected: no
Infected persons detected: 0
Threat level assessment: low
Notes: no people using face masks, carrying excessive amounts of toilet paper, or otherwise engaged in apparent pandemic activity were detected. Area appears infection free at the time if inspection.
Station building:
(https://i.postimg.cc/3x60rkf0/IMG-3310.jpg)
Platform area:
(https://i.postimg.cc/qqjgPqCR/IMG-3312.jpg)
Parking lot:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Gpy84b67/IMG-3313.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/d1Rh94sG/IMG-3314.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/MTJcRhSW/IMG-3315.jpg)
Compare: https://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=25 and https://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=26
Post by: JoB on July 10, 2023, 02:45:57 PM
This also reminds me that I did a quick ride-by scouting by train of Mikkeli railway station in June.(Pardon my derailing the thread, but is that an actual fist-sized-but-precision-cut HOLE in the inner pane of the train's double-glaze window ... ?)
Post by: Jitter on July 11, 2023, 07:50:16 AM
Post by: midwestmutt on July 11, 2023, 10:50:42 AM
Post by: JoB on July 11, 2023, 06:17:16 PM
Yes, it’s the spot where the window pane can be broken by using the emergency hammer to create an emergency exit.I pondered that possibility, but even if that hole permits you to more easily break the outer pane, wouldn't you nonetheless still be required to break the inner pane as well?
[mental image of noodleFinns evacuating the railroad car through just the pre-made hole of the inner pane]
Post by: Jitter on July 12, 2023, 04:42:09 PM
Post by: wavewright62 on July 12, 2023, 04:56:04 PM
Good scouting! I do note the parking spaces near the station are conveniently located for waiting in cars to pick up disembarking passengers (and doing crossword puzzles). Not sure where the cafe is, although non-trollified patrons looking for a coffee fix may have dismantled it in their frustration?
Post by: JoB on July 13, 2023, 05:18:47 AM
Not sure where the cafe is, although non-trollified patrons looking for a coffee fix may have dismantled it in their frustration?You mean Helmi's restaurant? Aino was picked up at the Mikkeli train station coming from there (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=26), but it remains unclear whether she just walked over - then it should be really near by in no-pedestrian-zones-and-parking-cars-seen-in-StreetView-along-all-streets Mikkeli, or why else would Kaino not park elsewhere? - or arrived by train from Minna-knows-where.
Post by: Jitter on July 14, 2023, 04:32:39 PM
It would of course also be possible Aino arrived by train. The place where they board the boat is somewhere nearby and she could have arrived for that. However there is no commuter train system in Mikkeli, and the long distance trains run something like once an hour. So, she wouldn’t be somewhat delayed when Helmi insisted her stay after closing, she would have missed her train entirely and would be an hour late or more. Also she expected they’d have to go pick Sqku up from home, which indicates they live quite locally.
Summa summarum I think Helmi’s restaurant or cafe is somewhere in the centre of Mikkeli.
Post by: JoB on July 14, 2023, 05:07:09 PM
It would of course also be possible Aino arrived by train. The place where they board the boat is somewhere nearby and she could have arrived for that. However there is no commuter train system in Mikkeli, and the long distance trains run something like once an hour. So, she wouldn’t be somewhat delayed when Helmi insisted her stay after closing, she would have missed her train entirely and would be an hour late or more.Well then, how long does it take a native to solve the crosswords in a Finnish newspaper? I hear that The Times (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Times#In_popular_culture)' puzzles may well be good for more than one missed train. ;D
Post by: Róisín on July 15, 2023, 10:29:41 PM
Post by: Mirasol on September 14, 2023, 03:51:43 PM
Ooo, beautiful Helsinki! If you (Mirasol or anyone else) visit again, give me a heads up and maybe we can meet?
I´d love to if I can ever go there again (which I would really like to, I enjoyed that weekend very much)!
It only really came to me when I was already on the plane that I could have said something... ^^' I didn´t want to give you so short of a notice...
And nice scouting photos from you too! What I first thought was a wooden building, is that a train wagon?
Post by: Jitter on September 14, 2023, 04:11:20 PM
Post by: Mirasol on September 25, 2023, 03:09:49 PM
Area: Bornholm, Denmark
Date: August 18th - 3rd of September 2023
Scout: Mirasol, assisted by family
Trolls detected: no
Troll activity detected: no
Troll activity indicated: no
Palm trees found: no (I´m so sorry Reynir, I really looked! I just don´t think it´s the right climate...)
Infected persons detected: 0
Threat level assessment: very low
Notes: since the island has been a safe zone since Y0 and there is no indication of its defenses breaking, I´d say there is virtually no danger here.
We don´t actually see a whole lot of Bornholm in the comic, and that´s a shame, because it´s a really beautiful island! :) So have some landscapes of it:
A sand-beach first. Apparently they used to fill hourglasses with the sand here because it´s so fine. I can attest to that. Unfortunatelly the black algae you see in the picture smells pretty bad, so you might want to look for a place to swim without it.
(https://i.postimg.cc/9QCzKTVW/20230823-172101.jpg)
To properly scout the area a high point is also a good start. So some views from Bornholm´s highest Lighthouse which is located in Due Odde.
(https://i.postimg.cc/852zHftg/20230823-134554.jpg) (https://i.postimg.cc/hG3jX5mj/20230823-134751.jpg)
There is indeed a whole bunch of agriculture on Bornholm. You can buy quite a lot of food that is produced locally here. I can see how the island could survive an apocalypse.
(https://i.postimg.cc/sXQ274PJ/20230825-143702.jpg)
Something else that Bornholm is famous for is its artists. The Royal Danish Academy (https://royaldanishacademy.com/programme/craft-glass-and-ceramics) teaches courses on glass and ceramic here, so there´s plenty of shops and galleries with that. A lot of them also include paintings of course. (I can obviously not take photos inside of them though...) What you are allowed to photograph is the yearly sand sculpture exhibition in Nexø. This year´s theme is stories, legends, and anecdotes (https://bornholm.info/en/nexoe-sandskulpturpark/). (Well, my skew-whiff sand-castles cannot compete with those...)
(https://i.postimg.cc/W18tv3b0/20230826-142313.jpg) (https://i.postimg.cc/QN7tMSd8/20230826-142953.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3kGPJNp2) (https://i.postimg.cc/90qQczWL/20230826-143024cut.jpg)
And I found a blessed feline too!
(https://i.postimg.cc/N00Ffc5S/20230826-142553.jpg)
Some beaches here have rocks instead of sand
(https://i.postimg.cc/zfLNcXLz/20230826-163423.jpg)
Some are full-on cliffsides (The rock in the third picture is called the bear-rock, which I´m sure you can see why)
(https://i.postimg.cc/gkYWPKwB/20230829-182631.jpg) (https://i.postimg.cc/zX01DRKD/20230829-182945.jpg) (https://i.postimg.cc/Cx2TkTcW/20230830-141526.jpg)
There´s four round churches (https://bornholm.info/en/round-churches-on-bornholm/) on the island which date back to the 16th century. They originally served (presumably) as some mixture between bastion and church, and they all have a second, some even third story with storage-room for whatever needs to be stored or hidden (also perhaps a useful structure to have during an apocalypse. One should try not to fall down the stairs though....).
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZRpSJ7FX/20230829-141847.jpg) (https://i.postimg.cc/L5VF1JWT/20230829-142437.jpg)
To have some more architecture, a view of Gudjem from a boat on the sea. All the chimneys belong to fish-smokehouses, but at least in Gudjem only one of them is still in use.
(https://i.postimg.cc/gcyW570Z/20230830-134749.jpg)
There´s also a castle ruin! And a few windmills!
(https://i.postimg.cc/Dzthkksq/20230827-143256.jpg) (https://i.postimg.cc/Cx5pRLsG/20230901-141758.jpg)
All in all, I´d recommend paying a visit. No palmtrees, sure, but the whole landscape of the island has so much variety that it makes up for it (in my opinion at least). Even the weather changes super-fast if you drive across it.
But now I wonder in what way the island would have kept its art-traditions up over the Rash...
Post by: Jitter on September 25, 2023, 04:26:28 PM
Post by: wavewright62 on September 25, 2023, 05:16:21 PM
Post by: Keep Looking on September 25, 2023, 09:32:27 PM
It's really interesting to see how Bornholm actually looks. The white sand beaches reminds me of Esperance here in Australia which I've visited once (they have some of the purest and finest white sand anywhere, and it squeaks when you walk on it).
Post by: dmeck7755 on September 26, 2023, 08:58:13 AM
Wonderful pictures. Looks like Bornholm is a good place to visit.
Post by: Mirasol on October 04, 2023, 03:51:18 PM
Oh wow! Thank you Mirasol for the report!
It's really interesting to see how Bornholm actually looks. The white sand beaches reminds me of Esperance here in Australia which I've visited once (they have some of the purest and finest white sand anywhere, and it squeaks when you walk on it).
Yes, the sand on Bornholm does that too! :haw:
Post by: Jitter on October 22, 2023, 04:20:36 PM
Date: October 17-18, 2023
Scout: Arni Jitterson + friend
Trolls detected: no
Troll activity detected: no
Troll activity indicated: no
Ghost activity detected: no
Infected persons detected: 0
Threat level assessment: low
Note: No survey was conducted on the water or under it, and therefore possible presence of seal beasts could not be completely eliminated. However based on general observations such presence is estimated to be extremely unlikely.
My son did a quick autumn sweep around Saimaa and up to Koli with a friend of his. Everything seems to be nice and safe!
(He appeoved my posting his photos and this message)
(His name is not Arni Jitterson, or Arni whatsoever)
(https://i.postimg.cc/k5V1N47Z/0094327d-077f-40f4-b04a-9f4fd14261aa.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/hvn2q1VW/670ea8ec-a5d7-4429-80af-a8ade416aebe.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/hGHC2BjG/7de51caf-a35e-4e1b-bcdc-4187dee97626.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/50LsGRYS/0acea423-9185-4797-8b44-31bc860e251c.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/ryGhN7L8/5aa8e4a9-d12b-418c-8b59-e43761466041.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/VkkH6gpz/4e98e500-3a10-4bb8-8b83-1e640a18180c.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/SskgBG60/969f423e-502e-4321-9c0a-b606f719b8a9.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/K8ppgLhB/94633e20-4042-4cbf-9c2b-85c540572319.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/prBqV5B9/c573a19f-0e1b-4c21-83f7-dae6af881368.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/wTVGgZWW/c61e3921-a822-4a1c-a558-9613f26d8e1a.jpg)
Post by: Keep Looking on October 23, 2023, 08:28:35 AM
Post by: dmeck7755 on October 23, 2023, 10:19:55 AM
I love the photos...Everything is so pretty
Post by: Jitter on October 23, 2023, 10:39:11 AM