(From last thread).

"Oh, I see. Well then, would you consider going up to 3500 for it? I mean, it seems like it would fetch quite a price from certain groups. Who would probably pay MUCH more for this thing than what you're paying us."

I still say we try and negotiate 4000.

Let's negotiate a bit, only a sucker takes the first offer if it's not an emergency.

ents, I'm off to find my bed. I've got to be at work at 0545 in the morning, and it's getting harder and harder for me to get up, lately. I'll save the classes until we can get somewhere more open, like Duty, or Agroprom, or what-have-you. And if we crash somewhere secure tonight, have Bosse give a very rudimentary and quick class on hand signals. Just stop, follow me, I see friendly/unknown/enemy, map check, and gimme a smoke.

And we should get a few more medkits/bandages. Possibly some anti-rad. And an upgraded detector, if the Doc has got one.

The last one auto-saged so damn quick because of the talk of character histories, tactics and such.

I think we should ask the good doctor if there are any jobs he needs doing that he'd pay for, that we might as well try our hand at while we are here. Or any things of note in the area to watch out for.

>>12178146
Ditto.

Also, ask if he has any high-end detectors. If we've heard of the Svarog, ask for one.

>>12178082

>>Thinking up new uses for the artifact on the fly.

That must have been a headache.

"Seems like it should fetch quite the price," you say, "I'll part with it for 4000 roubles since it sounds like it'd be quite the object of interest to some folks," you say.

"Capitalist," Sakharov swears, then considers, "3500."

"3750 and you've got a deal, Professor."

Sakharov harumphs, then hands over the cash, "There was a day when young men tried to advance the cause of science for free," he grouses.

"Well, you can't live on 'free' in the Zone," another voice chimes in; you turn to see a man wearing dressed similarly to Sakharov, giving you a polite smile, "I'm Professor Kruglov, Sakharov's partner here. You guys need work, I'm sure Sakharov has something for you - we don't get freelancers out here much any more and the Duty guys mostly have their hands full keeping mutants at bay. Especially the damn salamanders."

>>12178184
>pain-causing artifact
>thinking up new uses
>a pain

I see what you did there.

>>12178144
>>12178146
>>12178175

Seconded.

>>12178200

>Salamanders.

"The what?"

"Salamanders? Whats up with that?"

>>12178200
"...Salamanders? That's a new one. Human-based?"

>>12178200

"Got any jobs? Short-term, and ones that preferably avoid the risk of becoming a Zombie. Had a nasty run-in with those when we found the Painkiller. Warehouse flooded with psy-emissions. Actually surprised it worked out so well.

>>12178231

Throw in above post about salamanders. Somehow managed to not read it.

>>12178146
What kind of man builds a machine to kill a girl?
No he did not use his hands.
Like a smart man, he used a tool.
But just the same,
How can you question who's to blame?

What was her name?

It doesn't matter.
Now listen...
"The Good Doctor" has to pay!

OH GOD HE IS GOING TO ASK US TO GO INTO THE LAB....

>>12178282
YES! x-labs are like my homes away from home.

IMO we need more artifact hunting as we are poor as shit.

>>12178259

Somehow reminds me of the almost unheard of ethical argument on capital punishment - mainly death via injection. Most people forget that the only people allowed to administer the lethal injection are doctors - people who make the hippocratic oath. In this case, is it okay to force people to break said oaths to help people?

>>12178291

No. Just no. Fuck the labs with all their snorks, zombies, and poltergeist. And burers. And controllers. And pseudogiants in confined areas.

"Salamanders?" you ask, not sure you want an answer.

"Yes," Sakharov interjects, "Actually more closely related to a frog, though. An ambush predator that's started appearing in marshes in the Zone, about the size of a dog. Secretes highly dangerous neurotoxins from glands under its skin and in its tongue. They drag prey under bogs and use their tongues to rip out pieces of the corpse for individual digestion. Stupid, but aggressive. At least you can teach a pseudodog to sit and fetch."

Well that's a horrid thought. Leaving it aside, you ask about a point of interest, "Do you guys sell half-decent detectors? Medical supplies?"

Sakharov nods, "Yes. We've got a surplus of last-generation detectors that we're authorized to sell off to folks like you; bound to be better than whatever you're carrying, though; comes in at 1000 roubles. As for medical supplies, we've got scientific and basic first aid kids, though we can only sell in low volume due to our allotment limits. Technically, we're not supposed to sell them at all. 100 for a basic kit, 300 for the scientific ones."

>>12178291
Where the fuck is your home!?

>>12178310

Let's trade in our old detector for a new one. Sakharov can probably use it as spare parts. And maybe buy two scientific first aid kits. Just for emergencies.

Do they have anything that can help protect against psy emissions?

>>12178231
"What about jobs?" you ask as you decide on purchases.

"We've had psy-anomalies pop up around the old factory since the military levelled it," Sakharov says, "we're interested in gathering data on them and examining artifacts from them due to their rapid shift rates, but obviously that's dangerous work. Some mercenaries have taken it up, however, and they only lose a guy every now and then, so that goes to show you...still, job's open."

>>12178310
While steep, I think the more advanced detector is worth it.
We should see if the ones they have available look similar to the advanced one we had looted off of those bandits way back. If it looks older, mention that we saw a more advanced version around.

>>12178365

"Anything that doesn't incur the risk of becoming a zombie?"

>>12178365
Take the job but ask for a discount on the advanced detector as a partial advance payment. I am sure you understand my reasoning.

Ask about psy-shielding equipment. That might be worth something.

actually...we might want to hold on to our old detector. Its probably not worth much anyway, and it might be nice to have a cheap detector we can use the string and toss method with. We have more than enough for a new detector anyway.

we should mention we've seen a salamander before. That weird frog thing in that bog

>>12178407
You mean that creature from the lake with the village of old people? That wasn't a salamander, though the scientists may be interested in hearing about such a mutant.

>>12178407

No, that was something else. Vodyanov, or something like that. But we should mention the thing we saw.

Also, I doubt our anomaly detector will survive that kind of treatment.

>>12178418

AND the Samaritan.

Transfer our pictures too.

"Do you guys have protection for psy-emissions, then?" you ask, and Sakharov grunts.

"You're wearing one, I'm sure, in that helmet of yours. They've become quite common since the prototype was tested, and even as recently as last year we were still seeing improvements."

"The problem," Kruglov says, "Is that the Zone seems to have, ah, 'fought back.' Crude protection lost relatively little effectiveness, but many advanced psy-helmets have been rendered all but useless as psy-emissions across the Zone shift in new ways. It's really not clear why at this juncture, but seems to be slowing now."

That gives you pause, but you know one thing you want, "We'll take one of those detectors. 1000 roubles, you said?"

Sakharov hands you your new detector and takes your old one, awarding you a fair 100 roubles for the relic. The model you receive looks familiar - it appears to be the one you possessed before - save some small cosmetic differences and operating system chances. Expressing this to Sakharov, he quirks an eyebrow, "Sounds like a 40d. Those are Duty modifications; more ergonomic, slightly streamlined operation. If you had one of those, I hope you weren't flashing it around Duty, not since their science team got murdered."

>>12178443

"... odd, considering we got it off some bandits." (Was it Petrov who said it was looted off the bandits? Or did we get it off the Durandal mercs? Can't remember).

>>12178443
Possible implication that the bandits we killed traded with Freedom? Of course, they might have simply ambushed a Duty patrol at one point and taken the detector.

Tell the scientists about the mutant from the lake, and about the Samaritan. Offer pictures if we have any.

AHHA!
Check with the scientists if they will pay us for any information (recounts, photos, video ect) of mutants they have never seen before. We could make some more money and friends from simply snapping shots of mutants that are new to us, after we gun them down.

It occurs to you that the ecologists probably buy information on mutants, and you've certainly seen a couple of unusual cases. Mentioning the samaritan only earns a nod from Sakharov, "Yes, we've heard about these mutants from Menkov. At least, when he's feeling generous sharing data."

The story of the Vodyanoy generates more interest, "I've not heard of such a mutant," Sakharov says, "but of course, the Zone guards its secrets jealously. If you were to bring me data - samples, a whole specimen, photographs - I would be willing to reward you handsomely. The abilities you mentioned have obviously intriguing applications."

>>12178509
"In fact," Kruglov adds, "We'll pay for samples and photos of any undocumented mutant - provided you get them first. The Zone only seems to be getting more diverse."

can we get him to mark on our PDAs the locations of these psy locations that he wants investigated?

also, the mercs on the job, does he know their disposition. We don't exactly want to be considered "muscling in on their turf" and getting in a shoot out when its not necessary

>>12178509

"... Yeah, that it mutates fish into having insane regenerative properties but requires a human sacrifice to do so. We'll give you the approximate location of the lake; however I doubt we'll be able to get a proper sample from that particular specimen, considering we shot it post-mortem and that it was, what, four days ago?

>>12178532

Mercs are assumed to be professional, so outside of a bar, I doubt they'd do that sort of thing. Unless they're Durandal, in which case they kind of want us dead.

>>12178532
The locations vary by hours or days, but are clustered around the old Yanov factory.

Also, the mercs - all he knows is that they're an outfit called Durendal International that apparently has artifact recovery contracts with the government and corporate entities.

>>12178563

Let's... avoid them then. If they find out who we are (and whose to say they can't?), they'll be on us like a bear on a beehive. Wow, that sounds INCREDIBLY redneck-ish.

>>12178582

Wrong thread buddy. Now please kindly delete your shit post and GTFO.

>>12178546
even so, i'd rather play it safe when it comes to mercs, since they kinda tend towards being inscrutable or hostile in dealings with regular stalkers.

If we can contact them over the radio and negotiate something with them before we meet these guys i think it will be better than showing up unannounced on a job they are already involved in. professional courtesy

>>12178563
Well, that means we won't be going artifact hunting near the Yanov factory, then.
Should we continue on back to 100 Rad and see if Barkeep has any work for us?

>>12178563
i missed some of the stalker quests, but when have we crossed paths with these durandal guys?

>>12178614
I believe we killed a squad of theirs back near the beginning, in Cordon.

>>12178443

Can we retcon us keeping the old detector?

It's always good to have a spare we can use.

>>12178622
oh...yeah, yeah lets stick to avoiding that factory area, and damsel, hood up mask on. Any mercs walking around might not notice us in our new suits and new memeber, but they'll recognize the only active female stalker in the zone.

>>12178614

At the very start, or almost. After we killed two shit stain Stalkers who "helped" us rescue Damsel (and wanted a piece of her, yeah), we dropped them, stole their guns (I think Twitch still has their MP5), and took their PDA's. Had info on a cache, which led to us finding the lead-lined artifact bag plus the jellyfish. Turned out the stalkers promised to sell it to the Durandal guys. Who showed up to Cordon, yelled at the Stalkers, were a bitch to Bird, then got pumped full of lead + 1 grenade.

Is someone gonna archive this thread, I already got the last thread.

>>12178674

You can go ahead and do it, if you feel like it.

You first encountered Durendal in the Cordon, after your adventure in the bloodsucker mother's den. The killing of Tiny and Bors - apparently bandits - got you a stash location, where you found a bag with a lead lining and a single stone blood artifact inside. You took this back and fobbed it off to Sidorovich. Not much later, a squad of mercenaries showed up in Cordon, claiming to have tracked a bagful of stolen artifacts there. When the locals told them nothing, they went to Sid, who told them of our sale and identity (he not knowing any foul play was afoot). We ended up hiding in an attic while the squad leader demanded we come forward, and when an attempt to trick them out of town failed, Bird pretended to be us. The merc squad commander - one Sgt. Miusov - was about to shoot Bird over the missing artifacts when we opened up on the mercs and slaughtered them all.

We've heard little else about Durendal since then save that they were robbed by bandits of a transfer of artifacts, that they're involved in artifact retrieval/trade, and that they're known to be nasty, even for mercs.

>>12178650
Sure.

>>12178687
yup that settles it, avoid them like the plague

Alright. Ask if they have any other jobs - preferably ones that don't involve interacting with Durednal mercenaries. Hell, even hunting a salamander might be better.

I should note - since you killed the squad to a man and their bodies were tossed in the empty bloodsucker den, technically no one knows what happened.

Except, of course, the entire newfag village.

>>12178725
still rumors of "the group with the chick" will have probably spread out all over the zone by now, and we don't need the more clever mercs among them getting suspicious

>>12178753

Seconded. Although I get the feeling if we try to disguise Damsel, she might try to kick our ass.

Can we rephrase our objection to the Durednal related mission that doesn't make us seem suspicious please?

The idea of crossing paths with mercs - especially once you find out they're from Durendal - does not appeal to you. You ask Sakharov about other jobs, and he considers a while before answering, "Well, we're interested in purchasing partially-formed artifacts for studies in artifact formation and potential synthesis," he says, "but besides that, all that comes to mind is trying to find the local salamander spawning ground and neutralizing it."

(One or two more posts, guys, then I have to call it quits; I'll be ready to go again Thursday, though.)

>>12178753
>>12178772
I'm pretty sure our appearance is different since then.

The new duds would help with that would they not?

>>12178798

Better to be safe than sorry; especially in the Zone.

Ask for some descriptions on the salamanders, their hunting habits, what they generally do, what people generally do to hunt them, then decide on whether it's worth the risk.

>>12178815
This

we have shotguns, thats like mutant kryptonite, its go time.

You ask for more information on the salamanders, and Sakharov happily supplies; you get the impression he's not too keen on them, "Basically, they look like a cross between a frog and a salamander, though as I've said, testing shows them to be more closely-related to frogs. The males are diurnal and the females nocturnal - both are ambush predators, though the males are more willing to 'fight it out' and throw their weight around, while females will usually flee if an ambush isn't fatal. Hunting's often done with bait animals, since they're extremely stealthy and exhibit some ability to change skin color, and because physical contact can be fatal. Nest guarding behavior is fairly erratic, with clusters of 'off-duty' hunters sleeping in short bursts."

>>12178893

"Nocturnal? Sounds fun. Give us some gloves and those knee-high rubber boots and we'll go kill a few."

>>12178931
Sakharov smiles, "Only glad to. Oh, and save some of the eggs - they're a delicacy, if you can stomach eating one of those bastards."

(I'm gonna call it there tonight, guys - it's late for me and I've got an ongoing t-storm that could knock out power any second; should be here on the regular time Thursday. As per usual, I'll be around for a bit for questions/comments/criticism.)

Also: thread archived.

>>12178893
is nbc protection enough to protect you if you brush against one? I'm guessing they secrete poison?

>>12178962
Yes, unless they touch open skin.

Or unless the venom is corrosive...

My fart stinks like deviled eggs.

>>12178947

All right, see you next time Getter. Good work as always. Do we have a definitive nickname for Vlad yet?

>>12178994
>The Implier

>>12178982

It can't be any worse than VX, right?

>>12178982

hmm...

yeah sounds like shotgun time. lock and load motherfuckers, its time to blast some shit

>>12178994
At the moment, no; any real enthusiasm for Cosmo seems to have died (and the character himself doesn't like the name, since it's a bit...silly). Ultimately I'll go with player suggestion (which could result in him getting a nickname he's annoyed with).

>>12179014
No, but then, the VX canister wasn't trying to unscrew your head or drown you in bogwater.

Just call him Dracula and get it over with.

Viking.
Damsel.
Twitch.
Bird.
Dracula.

The Dream Team.

>>12179021

I personally like Cosmo; but we should wait for him to do something to get a nickname for him. I mean, we're Viking because we're Swedish, Twitch because he's twitchy, Damsel because she was the damsel in distress (and because we didn't know her name), and Bird because of what some old guy kept calling him.

>>12179021
Vex
Ronin
Jarhead
Drac

>>12179051

What? Dracula?
.
.
Okay, I can see where you're coming from.

Dracula or Ronin. Either's good.

>>12179106

He's not Japanese, and Bosse may not know what a Ronin is. So Dracula it is. Bird will find the name hilarious though.

>>12179129
i think its fairly common knowledge that ronin are samurai with no masters, just like vlad is a soldier with no master. name totally applies.

I read some of the older episodes 1-5 but I can,t find them any more. Whre,d they go? An archive link would be appreciated.

Goddamit SOoHG I hate your fucking guts. ALWAYS running when I have to go do real world stuff.
Also STALKER QUEST FUCK YEAR
don't forget to archive

Where the hell are the archived episodes?!?!
I read the first five and then it dissapeared. I want to read the other ones to catch up but I can't find them. WHERE ARE THE MISSING ARCHIVE PIECES?
On suptg I can't find them.

>>12180400
4, 5 and 6 weren't archived on suptg. They *might* be on easymodo, so good luck finding them there.
http://archive.easymodo.net/cgi-board.pl/tg/

>dersecte education
heh