Equipment:
-cold weather clothes
-hooded jacket
-tactical vest
-lead-lined backpack
-flashlight
-utility knife
-night vision goggles
-basic gas mask
-Soviet scope (shared)
-trail rations
-PDA x1 (ours)
-anomaly detector
-compass
-two bandages
-one first aid kit
-m1911
-Skorpion machine pistol
-Mossberg 88
-AKS-74
-2 grenades (8 in group)
-1 CS grenade
-jellyfish artifact
-24 shells, 27 slugs, 21 .45, 4 30-round 5.45 magazines
-561 RU

If I wasnt' drunk to the pont where I can barely type, I would be all over this. as it is, I will be watching with interest.

>quitus all
NO BAD CAPTCHA

bumpage for great justice!

>>11914470

I say we hit some of the stalls/shantys around and see if we can't pick up any intel. Ask around about anybody bragging about greasing some Dutiers, listen around try and pick up a lead or too from idle chatter and rumors.

bamp

What're we gonna do with the Skorpion? And what do we know about the four STALKERs?

skorpion=new sidearm? If ammo is plentiful anyway.

>>11914470
Hey, wasn't the merc leader's cache hidden somewhere in Rostok? Or did we already get it?

>>11915897

>we attempted to search out Miusov's stash, a venture that ultimately netted us a skorpion and a gas mask in reasonable repair

Planning time, guise. Should we stay in Rostok for a bit before heading out, or should we just go to the west swamps (could be east; can't recall) and get the job done?

Also, what's the possibility of us getting some tents or something for when/if we literally decide to camp out in the Zone? Also, what time is it?

Ummm... yeah... bump. We go do our job after a small break in the Bar, depending on the time. Listen to any rumors spreadin' about.

>>11915577
You have nothing but the stalkers' images. They're males of various descriptions, but the photos are decent enough that you should be able to match them with a face simply.

>>11916157
The time is mid-afternoon. Yes, you could get a tent, but you guys are slowly but surely weighing yourselves down (you and Twitch each have two "main" weapons and a pistol, Bird and Damsel are lighter off).

You could either faff around town and check out the quest or even check out other things. Barkeep didn't give you a time limit.

(Sorry about not replying, guys - I noticed that the thread seemed to be quiet, figured you guys might be stalkered out, and dozed off a bit after that; it's been a long day. If you want to continue, let's roll.)

>>11916607
With a new assignment lined up and some decent snoop, foot, and gunwork ahead of you, you decide to catch a warm meal and keep an ear out for goings-on while you do.

Most of the bar chat is over personal affairs or is otherwise simplistic; there are, however, several words on how the last blowout apparently caught an expedition in Red Forest hard, swamping the local clinic even now; not a few stalkers seem to shudder with superstitious dread, as if the Zone itself was responding to a major movement inwards to its violated core with deadly force. You're surprised to hear one or two rumors about a "new mutant" being found, mostly from Dutiers - news travels fast in the Zone.

All right, let's go do this quest tomorrow, considering we've had a whole day of traveling. Let's go faff around for a bit, and maybe watch some arena matches.

>>11916663

Inquire about what happened at the Red Forest - may not lead to a quest, but can be beneficial to us later.

We don't even know what they were called? Are their nicknames or anything obtainable?

Anyway, lets look around town. I also say we give the machine-pistol to damsel and hock off her markov.

>>11916709
I'm assuming that this Skorpion is chambered for 9x8mm Makarov, correct?
If so, I think it's a good idea.

>>11916690
Curious at the rumor on the Red Forest, you lean over the pair of stalkers next to you; both old campaigners by the look of it and given to the scowls and mutterings of older men.

"I apologize," you say, "but I couldn't help but hear you guys talking about some incident in Red Forest - actually, I've heard a bit of that here tonight, but it's the first time."

The pair seem unsure if they want to give you the time; there's no one quite as stubborn as an old drunk. Damsel gives the pair a smile when they look her way, pleasant enough for her, and this gesture seems to decide for them, "S'was a multi-faction expedition heading up through Red Forest for Pripyat. Loners, some newer scientists, and even a few more open-minded Dutiers and Freedomers; not common in the Zone, and everyone took a notice. The day they get going, the Zone gets rocked with a nasty blowout, and we - that is, all of us back south - hear word from some folks moving through the forest afterward that the whole party had been hit and most of them killed," he pauses, considering his drink, "between the Duty and Freedom clinics, they're both pretty swamped, and I guess several of the survivors are just going to die anyway. Most cooperation the factions have shown in a while, that's the funny thing."

"S'life in the Zone," his friend says, shrugging and drawing a deep swallow from his glass.

>>11916755

I hope so, because if not then the bloke who brought a gun here with a rare ammunition type is a epic level troll.

Comprehensive guide to how to be a stalker:
If you are outside:
Come in, don't stand there!
If you are inside:
Get out of there stalker.

>>11916709
You have names, but there's a chance they're assumed: Loudmouth, Viktor, Yuri, and Spaz.

>>11916755
That would be correct.

>>11916801
Thank the two, and let them know about the samaritan. Information in exchange for information; I think they'd appreciate that.

Then I think we should get some sleep, and get ready to head out in the morning.

>>11916801

Let Damsel have the Skorpion, unless someone else already wants it. We've got three guns; Bird is the designated marksman, Twitch also has three guns, but Damsel doesn't. Unless, of course, we just let her have all/most of the grenades, considering her throw.

>>11916801
Viktor and Yuri seem like the best chances for finding a real name.

What else is going on in Rostok, there's an Arena, what else?

Any places in this town suitable for us to set up a safehouse? Some old sewer pump station under the street somewhere? A place we could drag some couches and tables and lockers and whatnot?

Let's buy some more medkits and bandages. Only 2 bandages and 1 medkit between the 4 of us? We should be carrying more than that - 10 bandages and 5 medkits is a decent amount.

Let's watch some fights at the arena. Any possibility of gambling, or maybe having Stalk Out of Here Getter let us take control of one of the combatants for some f*cking around?

>>11916907
That sounds like a plan.

>>11916886
Duty compound, maybe Voronin (if he's alive) can give us some work. Arnie runs an Arena, we can gamble there or fight some people for money. Barkeep works at the 100 Rads, and he gives some jobs.

Hey, ask Barkeep about what he thinks of the Skadovsk and Beard, the competing bar to 100 rads, at Zaton.

>>11916917
Since Damsel seems to have such a way with grenades, and we're giving her the skorpion, perhaps she should also be the medic? With Bird as the Designated Marksman, and Twitch and Viking as riflemen, I think this fits a good squad distribution of duties.

You give the two thanks for their information, hesitantly given though it was. In consideration, you bring up the samaritan you and yours killed and the devious way it tricks prey close; the two listen readily enough, and though they quite clearly think it's a tall tale, they do thank you for the tip.

You decide to hand the Skorpion you found earlier while shooting the shit with the others, she takes it readily enough, "a bit of firepower in knife-fighting quarters should come in handy. Appreciate it, Bosse."

>>11916917
You personally are only carrying one; your group has 3 medkits between you. The bandages are kinda singular, though.

>>11916886
Besides the arena, there's the clinic, the Duty base proper and a shooting range (including sport shooting.) That's just what comes immediately to mind.

>>11916907
The industrial complex definitely had some service tunnels underneath it, and you could theoretically set up in them; Duty might take issue.

>>11916917
You can watch, participate in, and gamble on fights if you want, yes.

This is a question for the DM.
What are your prices you have set for ammo, or how do you come up with them. Im DMing a stalker game of my own, although its based more on D20 Modern than the rules on 1D4chan.

I've never played Stalker before, but god damn, I really want us to set up our own safe house.

So, more knowledgeable Stalkers, where's the best place for us to do that?

>>11916963

Does she know much first aid? Do ANY of our people know anything beyond basic first aid?

Suggest 2 bandages and 1 medkit per person, left 4 dead style.

>>11916963

I'm not sure of having every person with a paticlar ability; its the zone, by the end of the quest some of our blokes are going to bite the big one.

Besides, we are a group not a squad. We should all have diverse armaments to deal with situations that will inevitability split us up and cause a lack of cohesion.

>>11917024
Right now, I'm still experimenting. A base price of 5 roubles/round, with discounts possible with close factions. Honestly, I'm playing it by ear and that could change as I learn from/make new mistakes.

>>11916963
You guys can divide the teammembers into "classes" if you want, sure.

>>11916962
I can work that into my next fluff post somehow, though obviously I'll tone down the meta (Viking/Bosse, Twitch, and Damsel all being new stalkers).


All I need for you guys to decide is whether you wanna ditch the makarov of Damsel's (50ru), and if you wanna buy anything else from him/bug other bar patrons before leaving to visit the arena/go to sleep/expore town/etc.

>>11917076
Keep the pistol. A Makarov is pretty small and lightweight, it'd be a good idea to keep it around just in case shit hits the fan.

>>11917076
Does he have anything worth buying?

>>11917099
Gun-wise, he's carrying mostly eastern bloc stuff of the sort you have; he's also got MP-5s, a SPAS-12, and an RPK-74 (a Soviet SAW). Medical supplies are limited, with his drug stashes having mostly gone to the clinic. He is carrying bandages and basic first aid kits, though.

>>11917092

We can also use it to trade later. Anyway, I suggest we go walk around Rostok for a bit, get to know the scenery. Considering we're new here, it would be wise, and we're probably going to use it as a base of operations of sorts.

>>11917134
Get two more first aid kits and let's go.

>>11917141

Seconded. Trade the pistol for the first aid kit(s), depending on how much he wants for them.

>>11917099
He'll have medkits and bandages.

Ask the folks at the bar what work there is to be done. Don't agree to any contracts, but if someone's offering a "Go kill x" or "Fetch me y" quest, we can go and do it, then bring back proof, for reward with no commitment.

Go to the arena. Ask them if there are any camps of under-equipped bandits around the place, and ask them how much we can sell a bandit into slavery (for arena fights) for.

Go to the Duty office. Ask them if there are any jobs. Duty soldiers are lazy assholes that probably don't do half the shit they're assigned to, but DON'T MENTION THIS TO DUTY.

Go to the clinic. Ask if anyone has a grudge or vengeance against something that hurt them, or if they dropped some stuff somewhere - acquire missions.

Find a toolbox with a handle, a curved pipe too small for a person to fit inside, and a bent piece of metal that could serve as a hook. Hide the toolbox in the curved pipe, out of sight - and just throw the hook in a pile of scrap somewhere. We can fish the toolbox out later if we want to get our stuff. This will serve as a stash.

>>11917178

Don't have enough for a stash yet, methinks. We also already have a mission to do.

Eying Barkeep's displays, you decide to invest in another basic first aid kit; three is not quite enough if all of you are injured, after all. Come to think of it, the others aren't carrying bandages, either.

"Six bandages and an aid kit'll run you 260 roubles," Barkeep says, "medical supplies are in decent demand around here lately, but I can keep the basics more-or-less fair."

"Done," you say, and collect your supplies; the others see you finishing with Barkeep and stand to go.

You give the bar one last lookover - maybe someone has something easy for you to do; you could honestly use the money. Nearby, a group of stalkers who slipped in while you were eating are getting steadily more sloshed, warming up from their original sullen demeanor.

"He was a good stalker," one says, pouring another shot for his two comrades, "let's drink to him once more!"

Re: guy looking to set up an operations base, I would suggest a small sewage pumping station, bunker, or similar underground structure. Hard to spot from above ground, safe against blowouts, and reasonably safe for habitation even now. Of course, a lot of these have current residents, human or otherwise...

Go and investigate. If they seem unwilling to share information, offer a round for them to see if we can loosen them up.

>>11917267
Then let's go look for something in the area.

Hey man, I really have to tell this to you. While we all play this game, I think without you TG wouldn't be the same. I salute you, good sir--you're what's keeping this board going. You deserve a medal.

Also, let's go to the fighting pit and see if we can get our gamble on.

>>11917240
Confirm to the sloshed stalkers that it's the same thing day after day, ask them why would I bother, mourn about how that was a bad raid. If they give us shit, tell them to piss off, life is bad enough.
Finally, talk constantly about how you have info of use to you, stalker - and do not in fact have any useful info.

>>11917195
Get lots of different missions.
That way, if we get multiple missions in one area, we can do them all.

I say sometimes in the future (after we're done foffing, getting organized, working, etc.) we ask the local power (Duty) about a job maybe clearing out one of the (suggested) underground structures, if such work is available. We gotta meat the landlords, and this not only helps us get in good with them (and gives us a bit of work), but gives us a place to hang our gas masks as well.

>>11917285

/win good sir.

FIND THE GUY WHO CONSTANTLY TELLS YOU TO "GET OUT OF HERE STALKER"
SAY "SHUTUP, ASSHOLE" TO HIM.

>>11917323

We already did that last time. And it was fun.

Let's go to the arena and watch a few rounds.

>>11916963
Bird = Ranger
Damsel = Cleric
Twitch = Fighter
Viking = Warlord


Amirite?

"Sounds like a bad raid," you say to the stalkers, and they look up, bleary-eyed.

"You said it, bro," the 'lead' fellow says, "it's the same thing day after day. Good men die, mutants multiply, it's all...fucked," he punctuates this last one by knocking over the partially full vodka bottle, trying several times to right it before succeeding.

One of his comrades explains, "We used to run with this old stalker. Never hurt anyone who didn't hurt him first, always willing to stick his junk in the fire to pull you out of one, just one of those guys, you know?" Behind you, Bird nods.

"Anyway, we were doing some routine mutant purging on contract with Duty out Dark Valley way, when we get ambushed by a chimera; he was dead before he hit the ground."

"You ran?" Damsel asks, rather critical.

"He was dead!" the first stalker again, "nothing we could do."

Damsel looks as if she begs to differ, but to her credit, says nothing.

>Damsel = Cleric

Just don't tell HER that...

>>11917368
Martial Cleric

>>11917357
Sit down for drinks with them and try to get them to reveal more about their work and Duty in general.

>>11917380

>Martial grenade cleric
Fix'd

>>11917384
The third stalker explains, speaking for the first time; his voice is quiet and level, and he barely bothers to look up from his drink as he speaks to you, "Duty will contract out to stalkers they trust at times, especially since they need so many men in the center of the Zone these days. Our friend was on Duty's good list, and he got us all in the door," the man stops to bolt back his vodka "and we just left him there and let that...thing...eat him."

>>11917429
Try to reassure them, "Do you think he would have wanted you to kill yourself trying to save him? Or would he be glad you're all still alive?"

>>11917445

Seconded. Also ask them for any tips they could give to Rookie stalkers such as ourselves - you know, in the spirit of their awesome friend.

The lead stalker is reaching for the bottle again, ready to pour another round, when you grab the bottle; he looks at you in a mix between confusion and budding anger, but you explain yourself, " "Look, I didn't know him, but do you think he would've wanted you to become mutant chow trying to save a corpse? Or do you think he'd be glad to hear you guys made it out at all?" you pause, and the stalkers seem to reflect on this, "You can't drink this away; you'll come down off the vodka and your friend will still be dead. Remember him for the stalker he was."

The stalkers are nodding now, and when the lead stalker takes his bottle back, he caps it and tosses it into his bag, "You're good people, you know that?"

>>11917532

"You too, man. What's your name?"

>>11917532
"Shit yeah I am."

>>11917317
I agree. Getting some kind of tacit permission to set up shop will probably go a long way in keeping our safehouse secure.

>>11917532
more party members...?
MORE PARTY MEMBERS!!!!!!!

Like a bosse

>>11917540
"Hey, anyone who feels bad about living when a teammate dies is good people in my book, too. What's your name, man?"

"I'm Pyotr," the lead stalker says, "he's Limp, and the quiet one's Red."

"Viking, Bird, Damsel, Twitch," you indicate your teammates in turn.

"Say," Pyotr says, "if you ever find yourselves out Dark Valley way and you kill a chimera - see if you can't get a picture or two. We'd pay to know that bastard is dead."

>>11917593
"Sure thing. Any special requests?"

>>11917593
JOIN US AND LETS GO KILL THAT SON OF A BITCH

>>11917593

"Sure thing, Pyotr, sure thing." *Motion to get up.* "Alright then, we're gonna go look around for a bit. For most of us, it's our first time in Rostok - gotta see all the sights, you know? Anyway, we'll catch you later."

Also, let's be a little cautious once we leave the Bar. The mercs may be waiting for us outside.

>>11917630
"Nothing, really, just a few pics. We'll take your word for it."

"If you get it first," Red adds.

The three stalkers excuse themselves, walking for the stairs on unsteady - but servicable - feet.

"I never knew you were such a sensitive guy," Damsel says, poking a bit of fun at you.

Bird seems to approve, "Doubt we'll ever see that chimera - they're nocturnal and have very wide predatory ranges - but you gave them peace of mind there. You didn't have to do that."

You move for the door as a group, when a shady-looking man standing in the corner calls out to you; that's odd, you hadn't seen him him before, "Come here. My information may well be be of use to you, stalker."

>>11917700

>Annoying Faggot.jpg
I lol'd

Anyway, so no to Snitch. We don't need this guy. But we can give him the pleasure of introductions. Look to rest of group if they want to talk to the creepy stalker.

>>11917700
Grab crotch. "THIS IS GOOD USE FOR YOU, FAGGOT!" Leave the place.

(I should note, guys, just because I put famous annoying bastards in doesn't mean you can't interact with them and maybe even get use from them. Well, except from G.O.O.H.S. guy, who already chose a death glare rather than communication.)

We have (I think) 301ru left. I don't think we can afford anything he has to offer. But still, lets hear him out.

>>11917716
>>11917807
You, for one, aren't too trusting of so-called 'information brokers,' but decide to consult the others just to be sure to cover your bases. You're not too surprised to find them generally disinterested as well, but still...couldn't hurt to ask.

"What kind of information?"

"I heard you talking to Barkeep. I have heard some rumors and side-talk that may make things go more quickly."

"And the cost, of course..." Bird says, letting the sentence hang.

"...is 500 roubles."

You don't have that, and even if you did, you're not sure you'd give it to this guy - it's fully a quarter of what you would get paid killing all four of your marks.

"No thanks," you say, dismissing the fellow and moving on.

"When you have the money," he mocks, "see if you aren't interested. I'll be around."

You don't bother to reply, climbing the stairs with the other back to Rostok proper, where early evening is coming on; the door bouncer looks up again at the noise, "I sai- oh, I mean, goodbye."

Back in Rostok proper, you have a few ideas of what you want to do. You decide...

>>11917883

Go watch one or two arena matches, place bets. Then go find one of those circles of stalkers where one is playing a guitar. Trade guitar strings/parts we got for booze.

>>11917883
First lets go to the Arena and place bets. Maybe give Twitch those amphetamines we found and send him in.

Unless we sold them, dammit.

>>11917976

What? No, that's a horrible idea. Next you'd have Twitch running around with some poor bastard's skull on his head and screaming WRRYYYYYYYYY.

Also, we gave the amphetamines to Cutter, aka Doctor in Cordon.

>>11917976
You gave the amphetamines to Cutter back in Cordon as a goodwill gesture.

You decide to check out the arena, letting Bird lead the way to speed things up. The arena turns out to be a large, well-preserved warehouse like many of the local examples. You see a main entrance where people are coming and going, and approach it.

"This door's for people looking to bet or watch," he says "watching'll cost you, betting will get you in 'free.' If you're looking to compete, head along the side and talk to Arnie."

>>11918028

God dammit. Fine, let's check the fighters and make a bet.

Well I picture Bosse as a big Brock Samson/Dolph Lundgren kind of guy. Maybe we should try our hand in a fight.

Probably a horrible idea though.

(Sorry that that dragged, wanted to make sure there wasn't any strong desire to fight instead of just watch.)

Speaking with the others, you decide it's better - for now - to bet your roubles instead of your life; you can at least see how things work first. Bird in particular is reserved about betting, "quickest way to lose money in Rostok," he comments, "is to try and 'make it back.'"

Damsel, for her part, makes a joke of it, "Spend all you want, but lemme tell you this, Bosse - if it comes down to no medkits and only one bullet between us, I'm gonna take whatever organs I need and that last bullet, too."

Twitch, of you, seems somewhat enthusiastic, "I actually used to have a bit of a gambling problem," he says, "though it wasn't bloodspot back then."

>>11918124
You can fight if you want, and at the lower levels at least you can expect Arnie to give you a decent briefing. Unlike the game, I'll also probably allow for not jumping up difficulty brackets, though you'll find he'll eventually stop scheduling you in simpleton fights because it makes no money.

>>11918136
"Twitch, you shouldn't have told us that. Because if I see you making a bet, I will kick the shit out of you."

>>11918136
Approaching one of the betting counters in the warehouse, the man spots you for newcomers, "It's 30 roubles to place a bet. We have a few different kind of fights that go on here - you make money based on who you bet on and how evenly-matched the fight is considered. Sound simple enough?"

>>11918162

Something along the lines of this.

"Well guys, just think of it as our ticket fee. We're actually just here to watch anyway - why not see if we can make some rubles off of it?"

Suggest we bet less than 50 rubles (maybe 40).

>>11918172
Bet thirty on the biggest underdog.

>>11918172

"Alright, let's see who's up... By the way, how much if we just want to watch?"

>>11918240
"You just watch, you still pay 30 roubles. Per person, though. We're a little more lenient with betters bringing in groups, provided you don't crowd other paying customers."

This answered, you ask the attendant who's up.

"Next match is a wannabe-gladiator against a couple of bandits. Weapons favor our the gladiator; he's got 3:1 odds to win. Match after that is a basic blooding match; guy with a knife and a pistol against a pseudodog. Could go either way, you'll make fifty percent back on a winning bet. One after that's a longshot match - washed-up arena fighter with a knife against some merc asshole with an MP-5; odds favor the merc 10:1, but someone betting on the old loser could make a decent wad."

>>11918354

30 on the washed up fighter. Immediately. It's so lopsided you KNOW he's gonna win.

>>11918354

This is the worst pricing scheme ever.
I love the zone.

Bet on the lovable solo Stalkers in each round. Easy money, easy money, long shot. Fuck bandits, mercs, and mutants, obtain roubles.

>>11918383
Note: there will be actual rolls involved. Depending on what you guys want (quick conclusion/drawn out conclusion), I can do it in one roll and fluff it or do it with a handful of rolls. The latter could obviously turn out better, but wastes time playing around.

Also, I realize my odds terminology is probably completely fucked.

Let's bet on the stalkers in the second and third matches. Got a feeling that the gladiator will die horribly in the first match.

Anyway, let's ask Twitch how good he was at gambling.

>>11918432

I think if he was any good, he wouldn't be here with us right now.

But lets get on with it. I vote simple rolls for the first two fights; drag out the last one a bit.

You decide to put down a couple of bets - one on the dog fight, another on the longshot fighter. On the way to the observation area, you speak to Twitch, "By the way, how were you at gambling?"

"Lemme tell you," Twitch says, "I wasn't the worst, but it's a part of why I got into money trouble to begin with."

"Stalkers! Tonight we have some fresh meat in the arena! Straight out of the south and looking to win, he'll have to gut one of our pseudodogs if he expects to see the end of the day! Match begins - now!"

Roll a d2.

>>11918506

That would cost us 90ru - I don't really have too much of a problem with it though, although our team might. But we should do this; simple rolls for the first two, and the more complex one in the last. Highest payout possible.

Bet 30 on the individual Stalker every match. 1 roll for each should be good with me.

Okay, the urge to go play CoP is too strong. I'll just have to check back on this thread during loading screens.

rolled 1 = 1

>>11918516

rolled 2 = 2

Rollan for us to win!

>>11918516
(Note here - I comprimised on the betting you guys wanted to set. Everyone wanted the longshot, so that was easy. After this session, I'll probably rework the betting to be a little less slipshod, but you can do arena fights regardless - those'll always involve multiple roles.)

rolled 2 = 2

>>11918516
Should I hope for heads or tails?
You sure about 1d2?

>>11918559
Pseudog/stalker is fifty-fifty for real at this point, so yeah.

>>11918550
The crates in the warehouse, you can see, make for particularly nasty close-in fighting; you imagine gun battles are very chaotic as a result.

The pseudodog has none of the troubles of a man when it comes to this arena, though, obviously scenting its opponent right off the bat. It leaps a surprising difference to the top of a crate stack, crouching to pounce on the surprised stalker below. Fortunately for the stalker, he recovers quicky - he's emptied his makarov before the dog is even in the air, and you can tell even at this speed that it was hit several times.

The dog collides with the stalker, smashing him to the ground, but its injuries foul its pounce and it rolls off of him, scrabbling to get to its feet again. The stalker is bleeding - he got bitten, somehow - but he wastes no time, literally jumping on the pseudodog's back and crushing it back to the ground. A half-instant later, his knife arcs down into the thing's eye; it spasms, and the stalker brings the knife under its head, into the throat.

"Looks like this stalker lives to see another day!"

(You win 15ru.)

Roll 1d10 to see how the longshot match goes. You want a 10.

>>11918639
Distance, not difference.

My 3 hours of sleep are showing.

rolled 6 = 6

>>11918639

Nobylan and Mitenun, do not fail us now!

rolled 9 = 9

Go long shot go!

These bets are for peanuts. 30 Roubles is less than a Dollar! Oh well, I don't really mind, but, it's funny.

rolled 4 = 4

>>11918654
Heh.

Anyway. Getter, I've been waiting all day for SQ. I am not in the LEAST STALKERed out.

Gooooo longshot!

>>11918654

If you want to close it early man, just say so. If it means cutting it short, I'd like questmaster stalk to be able to function reasonably well.

rolled 4 = 4

>>11918680
30 rubles is about a dollar exactly.

Either the Ruble has undergone some massive deflation in 2013, or Stalk Out of Here Getter is not up to date on exchange rates.

>>11918705
About a dollar, yes. Only a fraction less, admittedly.

From what I understand the currency has been grossly inflates in the past, and is getting better now, especially with a weakening Dollar.

It's easier to work with smaller numbers than to use actual rates. I mean, come on, a piece of bread in SoC cost 50 rubles or some shit like that.

>>11918680
Yeah, you'll notice money in these threads is quite inaccurately low; I'm pretty much arbitrarily picking the numbers for things, something I'm sure I'll regret but which I'm willing to handwave as long as people generally have fun.

>>11918672
"Our next match pits an old favorite from the arena, Spartan, against a merc looking to put a playfighter in his place. Does old age and treachery really trump youth? Let's find out!"

You're surprised by how quickly the knife-armed stalker moves right out of the gate, climbing carefully amongst a pile of crates and remaining motionless as the merc carefully sweeps the arena, keeping a wall to one side for as long as possible. It soon becomes apparent that this match is something of a waiting game; the patrons uncharitably try to shorten it by giving the merc real (or false) tips, but their words are an incoherent drone and their pointing not useful to the paid soldier; he's quite clearly relying on his own abilities.

The merc's methodical sweeps bring him steadily closer to Spartan, and the old hand begins to stand, preparing to pounce. It looks as if he might actually get the drop on the better-armed soldier. Any chance of this happening vanishes, however, when the merc apparently hears his stalker - he' instantly on target, and even though Spartan is already moving to try and regain covere, he's not fast enough.

A neat, tight pattern of five roses bloom on the old stalker's shirt, and he tumbles off the crates. Coming around carefully, the merc delivers a shot to the obviously dead man's head, more out of insult than necessity.

"Turns out you can't outsmart a bullet, folks!"

(lose 30ru)

rolled 7 = 7

>>11918753
That's still only like a buck fifty.

Really, unless-again-the ruble underwent some serious fucking deflation, STALKER is depressing.

"I just killed seven or so bandits for you!"

"Well done. Here's 80 bucks and a hand grenade."

>>11918753
I agree enough. It doesn't bother me. I just find it hilarious that things in the zone are so cheap. I also wonder how S.T.A.L.K.E.R.s ever expect to make enough cash to leave the Zone, when even top tier artifacts go for less than $300

>>11918791

Ah well, we only lost 15 rubles. Let's go look for someone to trade the guitar stuff now.

>>11918699
I appreciate it, but don't worry - I'd say something if it was too much. My little nap earlier helped some.

rolled 9 = 9

>>11918791
>"you can't outsmart a bullet"
>outsmart a bullet
>a bullet
>boolit
>"I HAVE YET TO MEET MAN WHO CAN OUTSMART BOOLIT"

>>11918826
I suggest we wait on this.

Let's go see Duty about setting up a base in the tunnels underground, and see if the Barkeep has a lock we could put on a box.

>>11918937

This is a good idea too, although I don't think we should get too close to the Duty guys. Hell, maybe we can ask about Goohs and why he does that.

Having lost money, you lose your taste for gambling this evening and head back out - you recall finding some guitar strings at the old Duty checkpoint back in the Garbage, and figure that now that you're among civilization (such that it is), you might be rid of the things. It should cover the lost roubles nicely.

"Frankly," Bird says, "the only real way to make money in the arena is to fight in it, and even then you're playing the odds."

"And killing for money," Twitch adds helpfully.

"To be fair, we kinda already do that," Damsel says lightly.

"Well, to be fair, we've yet to grease someone yet who wasn't a gribbly mutant or who hadn't brought it on themselves," you add.

You find what you were looking for in one of the open warehouses - stalkers laying about, shooting the shit; there's a fire pit and a group gathered around it, along with one individual plucking out a rough but not-unpleasant tune on an acoustic guitar.

Approaching the guy, you offer him the strings, "figure it's hard to get useful musical stuff here in the Zone," you say.

The stalker examines the strings, discarding a few, "can always use these," he says, "I'll give you 100 roubles for them."

You're surprised he'd price them so high; maybe he takes his music more seriously than you expected, "Deal." Profitable garbage picking has a way of improving your mood.

>>11919014

"So heard anything interesting as of late?" *Take place around the fire/barrel thing. "Bird here was telling us about this guy, 'Dimuha Ninja,' was it?"

Because I love what you did with him, OP.

>>11918937
Sorry, posted before I saw your post. Re: a locker/lock/etc, Barkeep'd probably give you one free if/when you kill those four guys.

For a while, you've been considering trying to find a location to base your group from, voicing this concern, Bird agrees, "A decent 'safehouse' afield can be a good way to stash sensitive stuff, provided you're actually secure. Good for hiding from trouble, too." You suggest talking to Duty, perhaps about the local sewers, "Hey, while we're here, it's worth a shot."

Seeking out a Duty officer of greater authority than the average foot soldier isn't too difficult, and the man readily enough answers your questions, "To be honest, I've got no authority to say. General Voronin has the last say on things here in Rostok, but Colonel Katsev's in charge here at the moment. Frankly, stalker, I think you'd be better off looking in the Wild Territory - that is, the rest of the Rostok complex - or elsewhere in the industrialized Zone. Duty doesn't let just anyone squat in secured territory."

Fair enough, you figure, and it stops you from chasing the wrong leads. Noticing the warehouse you entered Rostok proper through, you're reminded of the weird stalker from before and ask the Dutier on a whim.

"Who, Goose? Guy has a way of annoying his higher-ups - well, did. Last guy he ignored put him on permanent assignment guarding an empty warehouse. I imagine he gave you shit about being in there?"

You nod.

"Just ignore him. Guy's got issues, but not much actual authority," you're surprised to see the normally straight-laced Duty taking such a cavalier attitude towards...well, anything.

>>11919014
Whoo! We just made three bucks!

Sorry.

>>11919149
Ask if they have any work.

>>11919108
(I'll stick this in chronologically before you sought out the Dutier.)

"Only thing going on lately is the flood of stalkers we got at the clinic after the last damn blowout. Other than that, it's same old shit here, and mostly same old shit in the area - bandits, mutants, and anomalies."

"Well, Dimuha Ninja came through," one of the stalkers sitting around the fire pipes up.

"You're so full of shit," the guitar player snaps, "they'd never let a well-known guy like that into Rostok. It was just some poser, I'm telling you."

Damsel looks incredulous.

"Told you," Bird says, shrugging. This only seems to trouble Damsel more, to all of your group's mutual amusement.

>>11919211
"Yeah, but what about the Strelok? I heard he hung out at the Bar a lot before he figured out who he was."

>>11919194
"Talk to the guys at the checkpoint," the Duty officer says, "they don't assign work, but they can point you to a Duty agent approved for that. Or not, if Duty doesn't know you. We've had some...issues...in the past few months with free agents causing trouble in our name, especially with so many of our men in the center of the Zone now," he pauses to consider, "You can get in Duty's good graces by doing something for one of the local figureheads. There's Barkeep - he's on the outs lately, but still - the docs at the clinic, and even the guys at the arena; that thing makes decent funds for us, and they're always looking for mutant wranglers or bounty hunters to drag in bandits."

(note - I'll be wrapping it up for the night soon, guys. Sorry that this was a bit of a quiet round. I should be able to go again tomorrow at 8, though thereafter I'm going to be throttling back these threads to somewhat lower frequency due to my uni schedule picking up.)

>>11919311

All right, that's cool man. Let's just finish this up with us going around trying to find a place to sleep.

>>11919348
Going to give a few more minutes, then go with this.

I'd like to take a moment, guys, to say I appreciate your input. Your suggestions and reactions often let me fill in details where I'm otherwise not sure what to do.

rolled 2 = 2

>>11919348
For now I propose we hang around the bar for a little while longer then find a place to sleep. And tomorrow, we go find those mercs!

With the day ending, you and the others decide not to head out - Rostok seems like a fairly comfortable place to stay, and the four of you spend some time planning out the next day and what ends to pursue before sharing a few drinks and, one by one, heading off to one of the communal warehouses to bed down and get some rest. A peaceful day in the Zone, at least by your standards - vaguely, you wonder if the Zone will compensate by making the next one anything but.

.>>11919392

Bandits, I think.

Guess this is it for today? Alright then, see you guys tomorrow.

Thanks, OP. See you next session.