Confused about starting new game and lack of artifacts

[ahilej 0]

Try hiding stuff in stashes, regular or made by throwing that backpack given as a reward for a 'night star quest', that are placed near the 'level changers'. Example of that is a stash under the bended tin plate at the entrance to the Wild Territory. NPC's have other 'level changers', so stashes near 'level changers' used by the player, or, by you and you only, are more likely to be keep intact and safe.