S.T.A.L.K.E.R. RPG

A pseudogiant is a massive, teardrop-shaped body with a pair of hypertrophied limbs. These arms are used for locomotion and grasping prey. An adult can weigh up to two tons and stand approximately two meters tall. This outward clumsiness is deceptive—pseudogiants move swiftly, their muscles are incredibly powerful, and their bones are as strong as metal. The brain is protected by a massive skull—approximately 100 millimeters!—and the spinal cord also performs many complex functions. Equally astonishing is the pseudogiant's ability to generate localized shock waves on the earth's surface, damaging all living things within a limited radius.

These are truly supernatural, invisible beings encountered only deep within the Zone; they typically dwell inside dilapidated buildings. Their origins are unknown; legend has it that they are the spirits of stalkers caught in a powerful emission. The mechanism by which these invisible beings manifest is indeed consistent with poltergeist legends (hence the name) and is varied: from periodic howling and laughter to dangerous fireballs appearing out of nowhere. Unfortunately, all information about this phenomenon is drawn from vague and rather contradictory stories, the veracity of which is questionable.

A semi-legendary monster—seasoned stalkers describe it as a tall, Sutu-like humanoid with numerous tentacles where its mouth should be. They say the creature feeds with its tentacles: by latching onto the neck of a living victim, it paralyzes its prey and sucks its blood; after this procedure, all that remains of the person is a dried-out, mummy-like shell. The most astonishing thing about this bloodsucker is its ability to become invisible. Apparently, these creatures are responsible for the deaths of a large number of stalkers. Few eyewitnesses survived—and, judging by the stories of those lucky ones, bloodsuckers prefer damp places like swamps and dungeons.

A rare mutant found close to the center of the zone. It resembles a humanoid with a disproportionately enlarged head. It possesses advanced perception and the ability to control the behavior of less developed living beings. Mature specimens are capable of taking control of even humans. It is a dangerous opponent, one that even the most experienced stalkers fear.

Since the first catastrophe, several generations of canines have passed, and each generation has increasingly shown the influence of the Zone. Mutations and evolutionary adaptation have led to the enhancement of previously weak canine abilities, often to the detriment of familiar ones. The main physiological changes affected vision—it proved almost useless after the rapid enhancement of scent: for example, blind puppies survived in the Zone no worse than, if not better than, their sighted counterparts. As a result, ordinary dogs soon completely degenerated here, giving way to a new species—blind dogs. These animals are excellent at recognizing and avoiding anomalies, radiation, and other invisible dangers that swarm the Zone. Like their ancestors, blind dogs hunt in packs; an encounter with a large group of these creatures poses a serious threat even to a well-armed stalker.

A large animal, reaching one and a half meters at the hoof. Its vitality and aggressiveness surpasses that of its relatives outside the Zone and is on par with most mutants. Mutagenic processes caused by exposure to radiation and anomalies have significantly affected the appearance of these mammals: in some places, they have become bald, while in others, on the contrary, they have grown very long, coarse fur. The animals' hooves have changed shape and become sharper, taking on some resemblance to claws; their pupils have become discolored, and pigment spots and deep wrinkles have appeared on their bald heads. Wild boars in the Zone tolerate radiation well, allowing them to remain in heavily contaminated areas for long periods. These animals typically attack from a running start, attempting to rip open their prey's abdomen with their tusks or knock them down.

Domestic pigs trapped in the Zone, like many living organisms, underwent severe mutation. Because genes controlling metabolic processes were affected, the animal's phenotype changed dramatically. The mutated pig, which stalkers call "flesh," is one of the most obvious examples of the Zone's desecration of nature. These creatures developed a scaly-bony protective covering, significantly increased their regenerative capacity, and their nervous system became more complex. Like a regular pig, "flesh" is omnivorous, so if hungry, it may well attack a stalker.

Professor Kruglov is a scientist at Yantar, the scientists' bunker.
Professor Semenov is a scientist at Yantar, the scientists' bunker.
Professor Sakharov is the leader of the scientists on Yantar and a merchant.
Boroda is a bartender and artifact dealer in Skadovsk (Zaton).
Sych is a merchant in Skadovsk (Zaton).
Spartak is the leader of the group on Shevchenko's ship (Zaton).
Kardan is a technician in Skadovsk (Zaton).
Shustry is an armor and weapons delivery man in Skadovsk.
Noah is a crazy stalker on the Barge, lives with a pseudo-dog (Zaton).
Hawaiian - a merchant at Yanov Station (Jupiter Outskirts).
Nitrogen is a technician at Yanov Station.
Shulga is the leader of the "Duty" at Yanov Station.
Loki is the leader of the Freedom Party at Yanov Station.
Professor Herman is a scientist and merchant in the scientists' bunker (Jupiter).
Professor Ozersky is a scientist in the scientists' bunker (Jupiter).
Squad Iskra - Poplar, Bulava, Zmey, Spirit. They work for scientists.
Novikov - scientist technician (Jupiter).
Strelok is a Zone legend; he destroyed the O-Consciousness. Friends: Fang, Ghost.
Mercenary Scar - survived the ejection, was in Clear Sky.
Major Degtyarev, stalker, SBU major. Operation "Fairway."
General Tkachenko, the founder of "Duty", died in the anomaly.
Chekhov, the founder of Svoboda, died at the hands of the military.
Monolith is a hologram-deception created by O-Awareness.
O-Awareness - a group of scientists in the Sarcophagus, destroyed by Strelok.

Wolf is the leader of the stalkers in Cordon, a village of newcomers.
Major Khaletsky – leader of the Military at the Cordon checkpoint. He was kidnapped and rescued by Scar.
Sidorovich is a merchant in a bunker under the newcomers' village on Cordon.
Gray is the leader of the stalkers at the Dump, Abandoned Depot.
The bartender is a merchant at the 100 Roentgen bar in the Rostock Plant.
General Voronin is the main leader of the "Duty" at the Duty base.
Colonel Petrenko is a Duty merchant who sells armor and weapons.
Wolfhound is the leader of the mercenaries in the Wild Territory.
Lukasz is the main leader of "Freedom" in the Army Warehouses.
Ara is the leader of the Mercenaries at the Army Warehouses, a village near the Bloodsuckers.
Skull is the leader of the Duty group at the Freedom base, wants to attack.

The Cordon is the entrance to the Zone, home to a military checkpoint and a newcomer's village where the trader Sidorovich lives. The Junkyard is a tech cemetery, teeming with bandits and anomalies. Agroprom is a ruined institute with underground laboratories and Strelok's stash. The Dark Valley is a gloomy place with a high concentration of anomalies and the entrance to the X-18 laboratory. The Bar (Sprout) is the stalkers' main refuge, where the Bartender and quests can be found. The Wild Territory is a transition zone between the Bar, Yantar, and the Military Warehouses. Yantar is a scientific testing ground, Sakharov's bunker, and the Brain Scorcher (X-16). The Military Warehouses are the bases of the Duty and Freedom factions. The Radar is an area with antennas leading to X-10. The Red Forest is a dangerous anomalous forest before Pripyat. Pripyat is an abandoned city, closed until the Brain Scorcher is shut down. The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant is the heart of the Zone, the final destination. The Swamps are the Clear Sky base. Limansk is a city key to the plot of the CN. The Hospital is an abandoned medical center. Zaton is a marshy area with the cargo ship Skadovsk. Yanov is an industrial zone with the technician Azot.

Duty is a militarized group seeking to destroy the Zone and protect people from anomalies and mutants. Freedom is anarchists advocating for free access to the Zone and control over artifacts. Monolith is a fanatical sect worshiping the mysterious Monolith and protecting it from stalkers. Bandits are criminal elements engaged in looting, robbery, and arms trafficking. Clear Sky is a group of research scientists seeking to understand the nature of emissions and prevent disasters. Scientists are a neutral group studying anomalies, artifacts, and mutants. Lone Stalkers are free-spirited fortune hunters who have not joined any gangs. Mercenaries are professional fighters who carry out contracts for money. The Military is the government force that controls the perimeter of the Zone and attempts to contain the threat.

Artifacts are items with unique properties that form in anomalies. Slug - protects against bleeding, chemical, and thermal burns. Moonlight - greatly increases stamina, but makes you vulnerable to electricity. Bengal - increases stamina and reduces damage from electricity. Crystal - protects against heat and reduces radiation. Fireball - provides protection from radiation, but reduces stamina. Medusa - reduces radiation, has no side effects. Film - protects against chemical burns. Mother's Beads - a rare artifact that provides protection from bullets. Spring - protects against physical attacks. Thorn - reduces damage from ruptures. Twist - a dangerous but valuable artifact. Bubble - used for alchemy.

Anomalies are dangerous zones created by the Zone's influence. Frying is a fiery blast capable of instantly destroying a stalker. Electra is an electrical discharge that delivers an electric shock. Vortex is a gravitational anomaly that compresses everything within itself. Carousel is a tearing anomaly. Kholodets is an acidic puddle that corrodes armor. Meat Grinder is a rotating blade that cuts everything in its path. Trampoline is a launching pad that deals damage upon falling. Green Grass is deceptive, concealing other anomalies. Rust destroys armor and weapons. Steam is scorching air that deals thermal damage.

Mutants are the result of the Zone's effects on living organisms. Blind Dogs are aggressive packs, dangerous in groups but weak alone. Snorks are fast and agile, attacking from close range. Bloodsucker is an invisible predator, suddenly attacking from cover. Pseudogiant is huge and strong, but slow. Controller is a psi-mutant that attacks minds, causing hallucinations. Burer is telekinetic, knocking weapons out of hands and throwing objects. Pseudodog is intelligent, acts in packs, preying on the weak. Zombies are slow but numerous. Dwarf is fast and weak, attacking from ambush. Poltergeist is invisible, throws objects, and is dangerous from a distance.