- About the escapees - 14 June 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2Fa80b11ba90131625ef029adf0235e57ca374d6b6.png Why do people become escapees? Why do they try to cross the border risking their lives? The country ruler is a tyrant, for disrespect to whom people can spend the rest of life in the labour camp, for any small delinquency there are severe punishments, just believe us, they escape not from a good life... Nevertheless every escapee has his/her own reasons. For example, one of the escapees has had the imprudence to say in public that the national anthem is boring and stupid. Then she has had only two ways: either she tries to escape or spends life behind bars... Difficult choice to make, but she has not been a coward, that's why she has joined the ranks of your supervisees and she is ready for mountains and swamps. By the way, there are people who are not ready. Please,…
- Developers Diary #20. Drowned underground passage - 7 June 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2Feb64a265818572519c75775ae7b18af5bff6b8c0.png Even if you thought out all the details, and everything should be alright, any casualties can happen. For example, you can forget that it has recently been raining, and rains have affected the groundwater level. So, if you want to use the underground passage, you will fail. It seems to be dry in front of the tunnel and to be safe to go through it. However the passage goes deeper. Brave-hearts can venture to swim underground in conditions of a limited oxygen amount, but they do not manage to escape... Don't worry, the next time you probably can use this way to cross the border if the water-level become normal. However it may be raining again... That's why you should always monitor the weather prediction!
- Developers Diary #19. Food, I love you - 31 May 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2F52ea76d821777c6bfb2d502ffeebf7a2e3dadba1.png Planning is a key to everything. As you should have understood, you can not spontaneously change the cross border plan: if you have been going to pass mountains, then please, stick to a plan, and let the luck be with you. By the by, the mountains passage is the longest way to cross the border, so you should be sure that your group has enough supplies, otherwise human losses are inevitable. MREs, preserves, toasts and grits are your allies against the hunger. A MRE is enough for a person to make it through three days! If only we could buy them at give-away... Among provision you can find a roast chicken and boiled eggs, please, keep in mind that their expiration date is just a day. That is why it is important to count necessary supplies before group's departure, rememb…
- Developers Diary #18. Bags and backpacks - 17 May 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2F1abcabbab61ea5540b2a1e3795740579e4aaf57e.png Perhaps you wonder "Where do you put all these scuba gears, preserves, life jackets and all other things that can come in useful during the border crossing?" We have already mentioned the backpack (the one in which border guards can find a boat - and this is a direct road to the dungeon). But there is more. The perfect set for crossing the checkpoint is a briefcase, diplomat or ladies' bag. Combine with a strict suit and dress, and here you are - on the other border side. If the things you need fit neither in a briefcase, nor in a diplomat, then probably the thing is, your path will lie through the forest, river, or mountains ... Of course, the tent can't fit in a ladies' handbag, but a fishing or tourist backpack is perfect, and also there are a place for sleeping ba…
- Developers Diary #17. Watch your items - 8 May 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2Ff273c31d36f5476f0965dec5d59504597f1396b8.png Some items (for example, a ball and a travel voucher) can help to pass the border checkpoint, but many other items can alert the guards and even lead the mission to failure. And it is quite logical, just imagine, you put flippers, a boat and scuba gear in a backpack, but instead of a river bank, you went to the checkpoint... Any inappropriate things give you away. You can tell stories why you need this boat, and that you really need it, but you will already be in the isolation cell, and then in the forced labor camp until the end of your days. Also, you will not be allowed to pass if you have a weapon with you, such as a knife or a pistol. You are most likely rounded up and sent to the owners of the boat in a backpack. There are things less dangerous, but undesirable,…
- Developers Diary #16. Travel voucher. - 26 April 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2F8532e3daf03267b3c0508d034d0e50cf6c9e356f.png Perhaps you will be surprised to see a tourist voucher in the game inventory, because we all know that people become defectors, because no one lets them leave the country. However, this paper presence suggests that the person was allowed to travel abroad, and, moreover, this person plans returning. It instills peace in the border guards, and they are much more willing to let such people across the border. Of course, if they had discovered that the voucher was no more than a skillfully crafted fake, signed by a weak-sighted old man and laminated so that the poor paper quality wouldn’t catch the eye, they would send defectors straight to the dungeon for the high treason and fleeing. Well, it's a good thing that no one knows about it.
- Developers Diary #15. Successful disguise - 19 April 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2F4620c0aa101465a4a22474461dfe8b7d1a06f02f.jpg When it comes to camouflage, the first thing that comes to mind is a stuck in the bushes sniper or a special-service agent in an ammunition effectively hiding him. However, hiding your appearance can be useful not only in this case. Some defectors are very famous, among them there are journalists, TV presenters, sportsmen. It is very dangerous for them to cross the border at the checkpoint. But they can still try. A little face-paint, a wig, a mustache and ta-dah - the disguise would impose upon even the closest friends. This set can easily change not only the appearance, but also the nationality. Change the eye shape, the skin and hair color, and eventually get the appearance of a European aristocrat. There are, of course, different situations, but if you are lucky,…
- Developers Diary #14. Mountain Hiking Preparation - 12 April 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2F15a757e98744a2fa731be5187663e342327ad3b2.png Mountain crossing requires special preparation. You are responsible for the border cross outcome. Of course, there are situations when you can’t do anything, but in any case, you must provide the group with everything they need. First things first, the equipment. Ice-axe, crampons, rope - without them, the mountain crossing is unlikely to be successful. The ice-axe looks like a pick-axe; it consists of three parts: a head, a pick, and a handle. Besides belaying, the classic ice-axe is also used for chopping steps in ice when ascending steep slopes. Crampons, being attached to footwear, let mountain-climbers move on ice and firn. The tent is quite important too. You have to make sure there is enough place for all people, (there can be several tents), as well as to prov…
- Developers Diary #13. Fake Licence - 8 April 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2Fc8cf772c2c25ce236ff8e46291f1a8ef5c2bb7d8.png The defectors would not have risked, if only they had the opportunity to leave the country legally, simply by buying a train ticket, for example. Alas, the border crossing requires a special permit, and not anyone can receive it. The ban is also imposed on the movement inside the country - in order to go to visit relatives in another village or city, people must obtain this document with a seal. However, with some courage and a bit of luck, defectors can pass the checkpoint. To do so, they must show the above-mentioned permission to cross the border. Where would it come from? You can guess how it happens: specially trained people take special paper, glue, tape, ink, and the artist magic turns this whole set into official papers with solid seals. Even experienced borde…
- Developers Diary #12. Boat - 29 March 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2F05de4d64d70601984d743181bf9c3702db624328.jpg Moving on an inflatable boat, it is important to remember the simple rules. For example, make sure you put on lifejackets. Also, you can not overload the boat. And before launching it is necessary to verify there is no air leakage through the valves. Your group managed to fulfill none of the rules, as a result, in the middle of the way the boat sank to the bottom.
- Developers Diary #11. Wild Fire - 22 March 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2F70ecdb1dec4876057df54d1c97edded78d58c719.png The weather was sunny for too long. As it is known, in such cases spontaneous combustion of peat and vegetation is possible. However, you attempted to cross the forest. Your group tried to escape from a wild fire, but the fate was not favorable: everyone poisoned with smoke or burned alive.
- Developers Diary #10. Avalanche - 15 March 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2F211c586ebb7e45082aefd35d0aa658f12d7e05a7.png During the passage through the mountains, the weather changed abruptly. It snowed without ceasing. Your group continued moving. Unfortunately, the snow mass on the slope reached a critical value, which caused an avalanche. Of course, the group had no time to think of shelter, and they died under the snow rubble.
- Developers Diary #9. Failure - 7 March 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2Fca99a6fea53fd55012040475db8fee887f9bd6ce.png The forest has always been a dangerous place for walking, wild animals have been seen. Your group also met with them. And if the meeting with a deer herd caused a storm of delight, then a bear was not at all glad that they dared to come so close to the cubs. Protecting the offspring, a bear managed to tear apart a group member and to strip several others. All frontier guards came running to the screams. Your group was arrested.
- Developers Diary #8. Binocular - 1 March 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2F10a5a567a4b5b9db3a2128dc450f5806487da7c5.png Binocular is a device that helps to observe remote objects with both eyes at once with the help of two telescopes. Due to it a person can get a full stereo image, in contrast to the use of a telescope, which performs, generally speaking, the same functions. You can choose waterproof binoculars with a 10x zoom and image stabilizer in your inventory. This object can hardly be overestimated, thanks to it you can watch border guards. If you see their silhouettes, then you still have a chance to escape. In addition, they will not notice you, because the lenses do not flare. Using a binocular you can search for a place to sleep. In addition, a binocular can be used simply for aesthetic pleasure, for example, to look at the extending landscapes from the mountain top.
- Developers Diary #7. Great Pinaldini's ball - 22 February 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2Fe817af309f8be68180bf832e552663268c345d6b.jpg A ball seems useless for crossing the border, it only takes place in a bag. But crossing the river, it serves a good service - it prevents you from drowning. Few people know that a ball may be extremely useful to move through a border checkpoint, but not just a ball, we need the ball signed by Pinaldini. It is not known where the defectors have found it, and why it is in this country, but we let you in on a secret: all the border guards are ardent fans of Pinaldini's game. They would greatly rejoice at a simple poster with his image (they would hang it on the wall opposite to the ruler), and here is a real autograph! If you think that your success chances of passing a checkpoint are small, then take this ball with you. Such a luxurious gift guarantees they immediately…
- Developers Diary #6. Abandoned manhole in the border forest - 15 February 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2F2bafe9274a25af54fbbe9444faab0deb61d8534b.png Under shaded tree crowns, through ravines and deadfall nearby residents like to pick mushrooms. But not only civilians visit this forest: border guards exercise on a rugged terrain, as well as orient. Therefore, when you take the road, try not to make noise: if someone sees you, be sure, you will never persuade them to remain silent. The route is laid along a shaded thicket and leads to an abandoned underground warehouse. The refugees are extremely fortunate that this warehouse has never been put into operation, and its dismissed designer prudently has hidden the schemes in case the situation in the country becomes frightening. Previously, the border has been much west, so now the old storehouse ventilation runs right under the current frontier. It is necessary to cra…
- Developers Diary #5. Crossing the mountains - 8 February 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2F4b11d2615af45fa76dfe126e8cc99afb54d0384b.png The most risky way to cross the border - to pass through the mountains. Few would dare to do that. Good equipment is extremely important, otherwise the passage will lead into trouble. Also you need not deviate from the route and be completely confident in the reliability of your mates. In addition, something unexpected might happen, such as an avalanche. Therefore, read the weather reports before the passage, it is better not to go, if the forecast is the snow. The transition lasts a week, during which each group member will be constantly in danger. One would think, to perish having flown from the mountain to the gorge, what could be more terrible, for the sake of what risk everything? The answer is simple: for the sake of freedom.
- Developers Diary #4. Operation failure - 1 February 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2F162c0ae163f895f5c03dd8c3581d48a362bd7b20.jpg Unfortunately, not every border raid is successful. Even the smallest detail can spoil the whole operation. Therefore, it is important to think over the whole way across the border and follow the plan precisely. Collecting things to go through the forest, and then suddenly go through the border crossing checkpoint is a stupidity, which results the whole group is arrested at the border. If you meet hypercritical customs officers, try to offer something to them. It is possible that they agree to let you through without additional checks.
- Developers Diary #3. The Swamp - 18 January 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2F8ca6144ec6f0dc978548d666a799bbbe694eff73.jpg The swamp is considered impassable, so not a single frontier guard comes here, just like the locals, but border guard dogs can hear loud sounds. It is important to move strictly along the route marked with light ribbons. In this case, after five days you can be on the other side of the border. It is better to cross the border in a group, it is more likely to get alive. Fog is the curse of these places. It appears suddenly, and becomes so impenetrable that it is impossible to tell what is in two steps in front. In a fog you need to move slowly and be extremely cautious, so as not to take the wrong turn. Test the ground before each step, try to tread exactly in footsteps, otherwise the losing a group member probability is very high.
- Developers Diary #2. Stretch - 28 December 2018
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F34102428%2Fcd5f8a3b7fff481714d2b0d57dc9e88967a5c1bf.png A few kilometers away from the port of entry there is a wide stretch, hidden behind a bush-covered riverbank. It's a nice fishing spot here, so the border guards have become used to constantly meet fishermen sitting on the banks. It's going to take about three days to cross the border here, but first you need to get food and supplies. During the rainy days, the river's water level rises quickly, and crossing it becomes very dangerous. Avoid talking with the locals. For effective denunciation they get a week's supply of rice, and children even get chocolate.
