Legends of the Zone

"Monolith." Essentially a quasi-religious sect. Members of the group believe that at the center of the Zone lies an evolutionary crystal of extraterrestrial origin—the Monolith—that grants wishes. Over time, some stalkers have come under psionic control (due to antennas like the "Brain Scorcher"), making them extremely aggressive and devoted only to the will of the Monolith. They are fiercely hostile to anyone who approaches the center of the Zone.

Renegades. These are people who left other groups (or were exiled) and now survive in the Zone as best they can. Their ranks may include former Dolgov members, Svoboda members, bandits, or mercenaries.

Scientists (including "Ecologists"). Researchers who study anomalies, artifacts, and phenomena in the Zone. They do not seek to destroy or control the Zone—their goal is science.

Clear Sky. A plot-driven faction that appears only in the game S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky. It initially consisted of former O-Consciousness researchers who broke away to study the Zone and search for a way to contain or destroy it.

The military. This is a government organization. Soldiers patrol the perimeter, shoot mutants and marauders, and occasionally conduct raids deep into the Zone. They don't have an ideology in the same sense as stalker groups—their task is purely practical: to keep outsiders out of the Zone. However, in some storylines, the military develops an ambiguous relationship with "Duty."

Mercenaries. Professional soldiers who carry out dangerous missions for money. They are generally neutral toward other factions as long as they don't interfere with their operations.

Loners (freelance stalkers). Essentially, not a group in the classic sense, but a community of independent stalkers. They don't join any faction, preferring to operate alone or in small groups. Among them are both decent people and thugs. They are generally neutral to many, but they are hostile to bandits and other aggressive groups.

Bandits. They're not a single organization, but rather disparate gangs. They engage in robbery, racketeering, and looting, exploiting stalkers. They're hated by almost everyone.

"Freedom" is an anarchist group. Its members advocate for the Zone to remain a free territory for research and for information about it to be revealed to humanity. Unlike "Duty," "Freedom" has no strict hierarchy, although its fighters report to a superior in operations. They are in active conflict with "Duty," the military, and "Monolith."

"Duty" is a paramilitary group with strict discipline. Its members consider their primary mission to be protecting the world from the dangers of the Zone: they purposefully exterminate mutants and donate any artifacts they find to scientists rather than sell them. Rumor has it that the group is funded by the government. It has a history of feuding with "Freedom."

Zombified stalkers
People who have been affected by the Brain Scorcher and have lost their minds. They pose little threat due to their slowness and clumsiness.

The crow is the only bird species that managed to survive in the Zone after the disaster. Unlike other birds, they adapted to radiation and anomalies.

Chimera
A rare and dangerous animal that hunts primarily at night. It possesses great strength and can cover distances quickly. Its distinguishing feature is a small second head on its neck.

Poltergeist
Legless creatures capable of literally floating in space. They can become invisible and can only be detected by the distortion of the surrounding space.

Burer
A short creature in a black cloak. It possesses powerful telepathy and gravitational abilities. Its thick skin significantly reduces bullet damage.

Snork
These creatures were likely once human, but radiation and life in the Zone awakened their animal instincts. They move on all fours, making long, precise leaps. They hunt cautiously, ambush their prey. They often live and act in packs.

Controller
One of the most dangerous mutants. He possesses powerful psychic abilities: he can paralyze victims with powerful pulses from a distance and even control people like puppets. In combat, the key is to avoid eye contact and attack from behind.

Flesh
A shapeless mass that moves on what look like spider claws. It's not particularly mobile and often prefers flight to combat. It attacks with its front legs.

Bloodsucker
A humanoid creature with tentacles instead of a mouth, which it uses to suck blood. It is extremely fast and can become invisible. It lives in packs, nesting in dark places, and most often hunts at night.

Pseudo-dog
Under the influence of psionic radiation, these dogs have learned to become invisible and create phantom copies to distract enemies. They are resistant to damage, so powerful and rapid-fire weapons are required to destroy them.

Boar
A large beast, significantly enlarged by radiation. Its hooves have transformed into sharp claws, and its fur has become coarse and has disappeared in places. It is aggressive, attacking with a running start, attempting to knock others down. It is especially dangerous in groups.

Blind dog
They're more like wild animals adapted to the Zone than classic mutants. Their vision has atrophied, and they navigate solely by sound. Individually, they're not dangerous, but a pack can pose serious problems.

Jerboa
A small mutant, enlarged by radiation. It poses no threat to stalkers and feeds on insects. It is easily recognizable by its distinctive squeak.

SBU Major, a typical well-groomed military general, Air Force Vintorez and a special award PM
Height: 190 centimeters, age: 34 years
Hair: short, dark.
Eyes: dark brown.

He has 7 scars on his face and wears a brown hooded cloak, an AKS-74U assault rifle, and an HPPS pistol.
Height: 183 centimeters, age: 40 years
Eye color: gray-white.
Hair and stubble color: short gray stubble.

A thin man with a S.T.A.L.K.E.R. tattoo on his forearm, a Zarya armored suit, an AKS-74U assault rifle, and a PM pistol.
Height: about 165–170 centimeters, age: about 30–35 years.
Hair color: black.
Eye color: brown.