One of the major mechanics for progression in Against the Storm is upgrading the Smoldering City. So, what are artifacts, how do you get them, and how do you keep them?
Doing so will unlock perks that can help new settlements survive, such as starting with certain resources or building types. There are three types of currency needed to purchase upgrades: Food stockpiles, Machinery, and Artifacts. Food stockpiles are the most plentiful, as most tiles on the map screen will result in you receiving a haul of the currency whenever you complete an expedition. However, machinery and artifacts are comparatively rare, but they can also be found on certain tiles on the world map.
However, each of these meta resources can also be found in the town-building portion of the game. When engaging with various glade events, these currencies will sometimes show up as potential rewards. Selecting the rewards and completing the event will put the currency in your inventory, including artifacts.
To keep the food stockpiles, machinery, or artifacts to spend in the Smoldering City, you simply need to succeed in your expedition with them still in your inventory. That may sound obvious, but it should be noted that you can sell these items like you can any other resource. They also sell for quite a high price, so you might pass them off to trade for a large boost of supplies without even realizing their importance.
However, if you gain any of the meta resources (Food Stockpiles, Machinery, or Artifacts), you just need to keep them in your inventory and succeed in the town-building phase.
