At 01:23 on April 26th, 1986: The reactor of power block 4 of Chernobyl NPP is destroyed following a series of thermal explosions. The resulting radioactive cloud moves across the European part of the U.S.S.R., Eastern Europe, and Scandinavia, eventually reaching America. The consequences of the disaster are so serious that the government is forced to begin evacuating the residents of near-by towns and villages. A 30 kilometer Exclusion Zone is created to stop residents from returning to the contaminated area. Despite the disaster, the Chernobyl NPP continues to operate. The existence of a power station as well as the fact that the area is no longer inhabited, leads the council of ministers of the U.S.S.R. to set up a network of secret laboratories in the Exclusion Zone. June 11th, 2006: The Zone lights up with a flash of blinding light as clouds can be seen evaporating in the sky. After a moment of complete silence, a peel of thunder shakes the ground. Most of the government forces guarding the perimeter are killed instantly. 2008: Scientists are still unable to explain what happened. Rare expeditions into the Zone usually end in tragedy, with survivors telling stories of mutated animals with incredible abilities roaming the area. According to various estimates, by 2010 the Zone is home to between 100-300 unknown individuals. They call themselves STALKERS, and make their living by collecting anomalous formations known as artifacts, which they sell for considerable sums of money. Two factions form: Duty and Freedom. Where Freedom would have the Zone remain free, Duty would have it contained and tested. 2011: Despite military accordance, the STALKER phenomenon is growing in numbers. However, STALKERS travel primary around the Zone’s edges, with the center remaining terra-incognita. The few attempts to penetrate deeper into the Zone have all ended in failure. 2012: A STALKER called Strelock solves the secret of the Brain Scorcher, a man made emitter that had blocked the way to the center of the Zone for years. After the Brain Scorcher is disabled, all STALKERS rush for the center of the Zone, some in search of a treasure trove of artifacts, and others in search of a wish granter. You are a rookie STALKER. Born outside of the Zone, you have come in search of riches and adventure. Following a small team of navigators, you successfully breech the military boundary around the Exclusion Zone and arrive in a small STALKER camp in the Cordon. Your navigator tells you of some major points of interest within the Cordon, which include the ‘Rookie Village’ or STALKER camp, the ‘Bus Station’, the Railway Bridge, the Mill, the Northern Farms, and an outpost. He also uploads a map of the area into your PDA, as well as a list of contacts which include Sidorovich, Wolf, and Petruah among others. It is said among STALKERS that if Sidorovich can’t complete your shopping list, nobody can. Your navigator advises you to see Sidorovich for an introduction to the Zone and maybe a job if he has any. He also says that Wolf might have a job or two, if you are looking for a fight. You are equipped with an AK-74/2U with 30 round magazines and 90 rounds total, a basic pack for holding items, a pair of binoculars, a hunting knife, three bandages, three med-kits, a week’s worth in rations, your PDA, and a couple of bolts for testing anomalies. The sun is setting and the air smells clean… The Rules (As followed by every STALKER): 1. No God-Moding 2. Posts between 100-2000 words depending on the situation 3. Read all posts 4. No killing off player characters/important NPCs 5. No flaming, spamming, insulting… (In character insulting is cool, bro) 6. Edit before posting 7. Do not control other characters unless given consent 8. Admin’s word is law 9. All questions should be directed to the Admin 10. Don’t break the fourth wall 11. Keep track of character inventory 12. Nobody leaves the Zone 13. First post is your character sheet 14. Mission based control The Character Sheet (Filled out by every STALKER): Personal Introduction Name: (Last, First, Middle) Notable Aliases: (Nickname) Age: (Reasonable age) Gender: (Male or Female) Appearance Introduction Eyes: (Color) Hair: (Color, Length) Height: (Meters or Feet) Weight: (Kilo or Pounds) Prominent Hand: (Left or Right handed) Attire: (Clothing) Description: (Basic style of person, etcetera) Occupational Introduction Specialty: (Special Classifications you have received (CEO, Dr., etcetera) Hobbies: (Things that are done outside of work) Inventory (Basic Pack – Add as needed) AK-74/2U 30 round magazine (90 rounds) Binoculars Hunting Knife Bandages (3) Med-kits (3) Rations (7) PDA Shoulder Mounted Flash-light Bolts (~) PDA files (Maps and contacts – Add as needed) Maps: The Cordon Contacts: Sidorovich Wolf Petruha
Personal Introduction Name: Shukov, Alexander, Stephen Notable Aliases: Zerus Age: 32 Gender: Male Appearance Introduction Eyes: Brown Hair: Black, medium Height: 5'8 Weight: 178 Prominent Hand: Left Attire: Dark blue hoodie, cargo workpants, small backpack Description: Friendly, talkative, Quick to anger(when offended or insulted), very cooperative Occupational Introduction Specialty: Dock hand Hobbies: Motorcycles, Reading, Aquatic studies Inventory (Basic Pack – Add as needed) AK-74/2U 30 round magazine (90 rounds) Binoculars Hunting Knife Bandages (3) Med-kits (3) Rations (7) PDA Bolts (~) PDA files (Maps and contacts – Add as needed) Maps: The Cordon Contacts: Sidorovich Wolf Petruha
Alexander Shukov, your navigator has left and you are alone. The camp is quite small, with a couple of buildings built on an old dirt road, most of which are falling apart. It’s dark out now, and some STALKERS have a fire going near an entrance to an underground cellar. With the far off sound of a hound barking at the moon, one of the STALKERS takes out a beaten guitar and begins to play. His buddies begin to sing in Russian, and the place suddenly feels a bit cozier. To the South just outside of the camp is an underground bunker, where your navigator said Sidorovich would be. To the North, the rest of the Cordon. You also see what appears to be the most seasoned STALKER around leaning against the wall of a building near the fire. Welcome to the Zone, Alex.
Alexander cracks his knuckles and walks over towards the underground bunker. As he walks, he notices the camp, although looking very makeshift, is quite clean and well kept. He opens the creaky old door and slowly decends down the stairs...
Alexander, as you walk down the cold concrete stairs of the bunker and reach out to touch the walls with your hands, you hear the faint sound of a radio. You reach a heavy, metal door and you open it, revealing Sidorovich who is sitting at his desk typing away at his computer. You approach him confidently, but he doesn’t notice you. You cough, and he looks up. “Who are you? You look like you haven’t seen a day in the Zone. Wait, you haven’t? Well then, you are fresh, aren’t you? Well, I’m always looking for fresh meat that’s willing to take bullets for my little business, so I’ll make you a proposition: Petruha, one of the STALKERS around camp, is missing one of his team mates. He’s planned a raid on a nearby bandit hideout, and he cannot be delayed any longer. If you choose to accept, I’ll tell him that I’ve found him a temporary replacement for his little battle. Go talk to him if you agree. If you make it out alive, maybe I’ll pay you for your trouble? He’ll be waiting with his team just outside of the ‘Bus Station’. Now, get out of my face, I have work to complete.” He waves his hand at you and turns the radio’s volume up. You leave the bunker and look up at the sky. The moon is high and the sky is clear.
Name: Relj Blaque ALIAS: Blaque Age: 26 Gender: male Black haird, brown eyed, 186lbs, 74 in, righthanded. Wears light kevlar vest with ammo pouches aid kit and water source. Desert fatigues and tan boots. Occupational specialty is stealth ops and hand to hand combat Description : not friendly not aggressive just gets the job done. Hobbies: Karaoke and fast women Inventory: NVGs weeks worth of rations. 4qts water. Water purifying agent. Hunting knir. 3bandages. 3 medpacks. AK47 w/ 3, 30 round mag. full. Binoculars with zoom gage. Bolts
Relj stands in the middle of a field holding his rifle at the low ready. The moon casts long eerie shadows all around, but it doesn't phase him. He takes out his night vision goggles and scans the area ,already seeing figures move about as if he was watching them in broad daylight. None are a threat to him, most on the men here are still wet behind the ears. That'll change though, very soon...
Please read the rules and introduction to the RPG. Make sure your character sheet includes your inventory and PDA. You do not start out with night vision goggles, nor are you going to be immediately hunting someone down in a poorly described location.
Can we play now? I thought stalkers had abilities. Shouldnt I carry a decontaminate agent? When do I get a better gun? What kind of mutant animals are there? Are you actually going to play or are you just making the rules? Are the use of NVGs actually that give of a deal? Is because im sitting in the middle of a moonlit field doing nothing that was vague or the fact that I didnt describe every blade of grass or cloud that could have potentially been there? When are you going to start giving missions?
Relj, it is nighttime in the Zone. Your navigator has left you within the confines of the STALER camp. Despite being night, it feels alive and safe, with STALKERS sitting around a campfire and patrolling the street. To your South and just outside of the camp is a small underground bunker were your navigator told you that you could find Sidorovich. To your North is the rest of the Cordon. Sitting around the campfire is a man who looks to be well trained in the art of surviving the Zone. You hear the faint sound of thunder as a storm rolls by the horizon. Welcome to the Zone, Relj.
Relj closes his eyes to center himself. Upon opening them again he finds the stalkers gawking oddly at him. Unflustered he asks, "Which way is south?" One of the men produces a compass and orients it then points south. Relj nods thankfully and begins to walk in that direction. "Wait!" Another man calls after him. He turns to see what he wants. "You wont last very long without a compass and night vision goggles." The veteran advises. " Here I'll trade both to you for two of your sample bolts and a medipack" "Sounds like a deal." Relj replies, digging into his pack and producing the items. The stalker quickly hands him the compass and a set of NVGs. "Nice doing business with you" he says as the rest if the group snickers. Relj continues south in search of the stalker called 'Sidorivich'. Making his way to a bunker seemingly abandoned but the only one in the area at isnt bolted shut or burned in any way. Relj goes to turn the handle and open the door when a noise from inside makes him stop...
Alright, so it's based off of a popular FPS video game. NVG is an expensive and rare item that the player rarely finds. I'll admit I forgot to add flashlights to the inventory, and these lights are attached to STALKER's shoulders so they don't have to hold them. I probably should have made that more clear. Anyways, let's get back to RPGing.
No, we can't play now. No, they don't have abilities. You can carry a decontaminate agent when you find one. (And no, you can't trade a couple of bolts for one.) You can get a better gun if you play the game correctly. There are all kinds: Bloodsuckers, Snorks, Flesh's, hounds, boars, etc. I'll play important NPCs and tell you if you're doing something wrong. It was that it wasn't where I clearly told everyone to start the game. I'll start giving missions if you follow the obvious hints in the introduction.
Alexander jogs out of the bunker quickly, for the old man had smelt of liquor, smoke and meats. He looks around and notices almost all the STALKERS have something covering their mouths. Most had cloth covering their mouth, and some even have gas masks. He assumed they wore them just incase they stepped into a place with radiation. But then again, why where a hot gas mask all day by a fire? It was probably some sort of social status, or fashion style. He also noticed the guys with gasmasks had better weaponry than the cloth-faces. Some of the STALKERS were looking at him while passing around a bottle of Vodka. He waved to them slightly. One of them spit and turned around. "Ey bro, come ova here." Alexander walked to the STALKER and looked puzzled. "If you really want comrades here, don't wave and act goofy. This place isn't a sunday drive. Good luck in the zone." Alexander didn't even get a word out, but nodded his head and ran fast towards the 'Bus stop'
Alexander, you cautiously make your way to the perimeter of the ‘Bus Stop’. It is dark out but you refrain from turning your flash-light on as it might draw unwanted attention. With each step you make the slightest noise, and you get the feeling that something can hear you, but you dismiss it. You are fresh to the Zone, and therefore know nothing. Again, a hound howls in the distance, and you shiver from the cold Ukrainian climate. Soon though, you arrive on top of a small hill overlooking the ‘Bus Stop’, and Petruha and his team is waiting. “You must be the rookie,” Petruha says as he examines you from head to foot, “If you get yourself killed, that’s no problem for me, but you better not get stupid and get one of my boys shot. Alright! Pipe down men, and listen up: We’ve got a strong contingency of bandits down there, and it’s our job to take them out. We’re going to go in nice and quiet like, and hopefully finish this without a single one of them even knowing what hit them. Do you all understand? Good. Are you ready rookie? Here, take this pistol. Sometimes your main weapon gets knocked away, and then what are you going to do, eh?” Petruha hands you a Makarov side-arm, with only one clip already loaded into it. Petruha motions for his team to spread out and make a perimeter, and then move in to the ‘Bus Stop’ to take out the bandits. You have never been in combat before, well, not combat in the Zone at least. Alexander, it’s your turn to be the big damn hero.
Alexander takes out the AK and switches onto Semi-auto, and turns off the safety. He watches as other STALKERS do a kind of stealth walk, so he joins them. He gets down low, and approaches the Stone wall. He peaks in through one of the cracks, ready to fire...
Personal Introduction Name: (Johnson, Freda Freud) Notable Aliases: (Freda Joe) Age: (26) Gender: (Female) Appearance Introduction Eyes: (Brown) Hair: (Red, Long(half way down back) Height: (5’6”) Weight: (112 pounds) Prominent Hand: (Left handed) Attire: (Skinny pants, T-shirt, Army Jacket, Convers High-tops, glasses.) Description: (Bipolar, good liar, afraid of death, doesn’t have many friends) Occupational Introduction Specialty: (PsyD, Lying, acting.) Hobbies: (Acting, Reading, Hunting) Inventory (Basic Pack – Add as needed) AK-74/2U 30 round magazine (90 rounds) Binoculars Hunting Knife Bandages (3) Med-kits (3) Rations (7) PDA Shoulder Mounted Flash-light Bolts (~)
Alexander, through the crack you notice three bandits. The one closest to you is looking straight out into the perimeter of the ‘Bust Stop’; however he does not see you yet. The other two are father into the complex, and because they have their flash-lights on it’s easier for you to spot them. You look around and see that the other STALKERS are in position, and Petruha gives a signal to move in. Your mission is to take them out quickly and quietly, however you know it would be difficult to sneak up on the bandit in front of you. What do you do Alexander?
Freda, welcome to the Zone. Your navigator has left you now, and you are all alone. It is dark in the ‘Rookie Camp’, but the ominous light that is cast by the moon and the fire gives you enough visibility to describe the area. It is nearly empty, and as you ask one of the STALKERS why he replies, “Petruha and his team are out hunting bandits. You should thank them when they come back, because those bastards have been giving everyone a hard time.” You turn on your PDA and open up a map of the Cordon. To the South is an underground bunker where Sidorovich is said to be. Looking around the camp one last time you notice a STALKER wearing a gas-mask and holding a more advanced weapon than the rest of the STALKERS in camp. You assume he is a veteran to the Zone and might have something to offer you. Welcome, Freda, to life in the Exclusion Zone.
Relj, you stop immediately and reach up to turn your NVG’s on in hopes that you could see better, however you learn that they are broken. You assume that the STALKER who traded it to you had ripped you off for a valuable med-kit. You revert to your shoulder-mounted flash-light for guidance. You ready your AK-74/U2 in semi-automatic firing position, and slowly open the door some more. You peak inside, ready for a fight, but you notice only a STALKER sleeping on a worn mattress. You pull out your PDA and look on the map of the Cordon. This was just a regular house, not the underground bunker. Feeling rather stupid, you close the door quietly to avoid waking the sleeping STALKER, and head on your way. Relj, the Zone is a tricky place. People are always lying.
Freda walks over to the man, who she assumed to be a veteran, and sits next to him. As she sits down the man looks at her. He looked angry and tired. A scar ran from the lobe of his ear down to his nose, and his gray hair pulled back into a pony tail. After a few awkward minutes he speaks. With a shaky but confident voice he asks “Can I help yeeeh with something?” Shaking a little Freda froze. She wondered why she even came over to him. “Ehhy. You must be new to the Zone.” Freda Nodded Slowly.
Freda, the veteran STALKER looks you over. “The name’s Wolf. I take care of all the newbie STALKERS here in the Cordon. Sometimes though, you get those damn hippies with their slippers and mesh bags looking for ‘adventure’ or friggin’ nerds who haven’t held anything but a microscope in their girly little hands. Such posers don’t last long here, so if you are one, I’m warning you. This place isn’t for the light hearted. But listen, I can see that you’re itching to get out there, so tell you what? A man named Fox, he lives up the road in the Cordon. He was supposed to meet up with me here in camp an hour ago, but never showed. I don’t want to go through the trouble of getting past the bridge, because that would force me to sneak past a load of military, and you don’t even know what that’s like. Here, I’ll give you some information on Fox and the bridge. Maybe you can work out a deal with Major Kuznetsov? He’s the military man and won’t let you pass unless you can convince him. Anyways, do you wanna do this for me? There might be something in it for you, besides the excitement of traveling further into the Zone.” PDA update: Railway Bridge Fox Freda, this is the first mission offered to you in the Zone, do you accept?
Freda thinks for a minute, then nodes. ‘This could be a good way for me to learn my way around this nasty place.’ Freda takes a short nap and then heads on her way. With her back pack strapped on her back, a canteen around her neck and some food to last her the trip she walks out of the camp. With every step she takes makes a crunching noise under her feet. She decides to turn on her flashlight and look around. As she looks around she sees a bridge that’s half way destroyed, and a man standing out front. “Who the hell are you?” he says as he brings his gun to his face. Freda, a little frightened, slowly put her hands up. The man slowly walks over to her, his gun still up. “I asked you a question!” “Freda. My name is Freda.” “and what is your business here?” “I need to get past the bridge. I’m looking for a man name Fox.”
