Scouting reports (trips to areas relevant to the comic)

[wavewright62]

I believe we can stand down the alert level for the sighting outside Mikkeli.  After close analysis of the scouting photo, the HQ team has ascertained (please see appendix 3b(iii) for margin of error and other statistical data) that the creature is not, in fact, mammalian. Therefore, the likelihood of Rash transmission is effectively nil. 
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.

[Jitter]

Thank you HQ. Scouts go forward today to Luleå area. Full report to be prepared later, but threat level in Joensuu is extremely high! Please prepare to warn the public to avoid further casualties.

Jitter out.

[Jitter]

Scouting report Joensuu

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)







University and Metla building

P308, note troll wrapping!


Onni’s building pictured from the courtyard


Wall detail captured from outside of the infestation


Opposite building (part of University, background on p 313


Joensuu centre

Surma warning for residents


Rantakatu (p255)


Market square


Crafts quarter


Residential street


Riverside


Lalli and Onni’s park (Suvantokatu / Kirkkokatu corner)




Appendix A: further pictures of Metla building (Onni’s building)

Spoiler: show

[Mebediel]

Love the wood architecture but especially love the Lalli and Onni park. Glad there were no troll on stick sightings during your very dangerous scouting trip.

[Jitter]

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.

[JoB]

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" (lynx, by Noora Nevalainen, 2012) and "Laulupuiston linnut" (owls, by Karoliina Nieminen, 2015), respectively.

And then there were wolves ...

[Jitter]

Yeah, but why? “Joensuun ilves” (lynx of Joensuu) is not a thing. A nice statue, though!

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!

[thegreyarea]

Wow, I loved every bit of this scout report, and of course particularly that you remembered me on the building photos!

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!

[Richard Weir]

So... "Arts & Crafts"? Arts & Crafts??!!

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!

[Mirasol]

Whoa, Onni´s building is really pretty (when it´s not destroyed)!
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

[Jitter]

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.

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).

[Jitter]

Richard, the name of the crafts quarter is actually Taitokortteli and it’s very nice. There is a non-profit textile crafts training center and small shops that sell real crafts, yarn, pottery, textiles and clothing etc. No souvenir trash allowed at all. There is also a nice cafe, gallery and art loaning by the North Carelia artists’ association and “Joensuu family house” with space for families with children (parent-baby club etc). In the other end are restaurants and pubs, which aren’t actually part of Taitokortteli but are located in further renovated traditional wooden houses adjacent to the Taitokortteli proper.

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.

[wavewright62]

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. 

[thegreyarea]

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.

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).

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.
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

(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)

[Jitter]

(Assuming there is a right answer on whether the entrance is too small or not, your answer is of course much more right than mine. Mine is just an impression. But I believe these are partially matters of opinion, so no real right answers, or wrong for that matter.)