First let me say that I've enjoyed playing this with some friends. It FEELS very Viking and also malleable to different ways of playing.

Now for my question:

When choosing an artifact, you mention by spending favor you can add two successful results to any encounter. I understand that.

However, next to each artifact you say something like "+2 Cunning". Is this +2 a stat increase or is it the two successful results to an encounter using that stat?

Thanks for the question!

It's an additional +2 stat increase.   So, by virtue of merely possessing that artifact, you'll always have 2 extra dice for those challenges.

Also YO I'm so glad to hear you enjoy it!!!