The Day The Stars Changed (Metro 2033/Various)

That was the only warning from the surface outposts before all contact was lost. And then the Anomalies and Mutants seemingly went berserk.

For five months, we have remained huddled and hidden behind the blast doors of our stations, only daring to leave in armed parties and even then only to trade for the essentials. Even the war between the Reich and Red Line ground to a halt, the soldiers retreating in the face of maddened mutants and deadly new Anomalies.

And so, the Metro simply stopped for those bleak five months and the people suffered.

And then they came. It was the Rangers of The Order, seeking to re-establish a presence on the surface from their fortress-station of D6, who reported the strangeness of the stars, as if constellations had been replaced, before they encountered the travelers from the stars. These beings had come to Earth to study it, and were surprised to find humans.

When the Rangers managed to communicate with these beings, they learned the news that has rocked the Metro. An anomaly of incredible power had torn the Metro, torn Russia and other surrounding lands, from Earth and placed it in a new Earth, one that had already experienced a number of cataclysms in the past. These beings were not native to our Solar System either, they too had suffered a cataclysm and had found themselves here.

In the interests of opening a dialogue, a diplomat now took up an observer's seat on the Polis council, and while many disbelieved the news of aliens and being taken to another version of Earth, the story stood up to scrutiny and soon acceptance slowly made its way across the Metro.

These events have meant relatively little to your station, and you have had no time worry about thing as beings from the stars, or the world changing around you because of some unknowable cataclysm. The world died in nuclear fire, ghosts and anomalies haunt the world alongside mutants, and every day the uneasy cease-fire between the Reich and Red Line looks to be weakening.

Then there are the other threats. The Mutants have not been idle, and mysterious Machines have started to encroach into Russia according to those scattered new reports from the survivors outside Russia who the Rangers contacted at great risk. Machines in the shape of animals who are either aggressive or skittish depending on the type, and tough enough that it takes Military Grade Rounds to kill them.

Even so, you have more important things to do than wonder about what is going on the surface. You have enough problems underground.

You are...

[]Mikhail, also known as 'Gutter' by your comrades, and you earned that nickname by the Mutants and Bandits you've slain with your Knife and Bastard. Your proficiency in combat is matched by a startling capacity to learn and understand things others don't quite understand.

Spoiler: Details

Gutter is a man who prefers combat, but is smart enough to puzzle his way through problems that can't be solved with a blade or bullet.

[]Ekaterina, known to those close to her as 'Spark'. Where spark lacks strength, she makes up for with her ability to fix and jury-rig and also to lead, gathering any willing to listen and follow to support and fight alongside her.

Spoiler: Details

Spark is a capable tinker, able to quickly bash together a weapon or other needed piece of equipment, and her forceful personality gives her a knack for leadership, able to keep a group of other Metro dwellers in line in combat or in performing difficult tasks.

[]Wanderer, a person masked and gender hidden by clothing and cloak. Wanderer was the only one in the Metro to find and tame a Machine, ordering it as easily as one might with the dogs and some of the cats.

Spoiler: Details

Wanderer is something of an all-rounder, but they are unique in that they know how to bring a Machine under their command, as long as they can get close without being detected.

[]Write In...

Spoiler: Details

Write in a name and a brief description about their capabilities, and bonuses will be formulated.

Your name is Wanderer, and as far as the Metro knows you are a mystery, a Stalker who is legendary for ranging far and wide across the poisoned, mutated lands of Russia in search of fuel, Military Grade Rounds, tools and other necessary resources that the Metro cannot easily replicate beyond those stations that were connected to Pre-War factory complexes that evacuated their machinery underground.

No-one knows your real name, your face or your gender and you prefer it that way.

[]The mystery surrounding your gender amuses you.
[]It is a shield made from preying on mankind's superstitions.

Spoiler: Tutorial Note:

This choice is neutral for now, but future choices will impact how the Metro, and others, respond to you.

Recently however, times have changed. The stars have changed after five months of madness and silence; but soon after things returned to normal for a little while. And then the Machines came, small and large and in crude imitation of beasts they began to encroach upon the ruins, intruding into the territory of the Mutants, sparking conflicts.

The scientists you've escorted to the surface to watch the Machines say that it is likely caused by whatever event caused the stars to change; that the Metro and the Dead World are the interlopers. It's a theory that seems to hold out; the few expeditions outside Poland have revealed lands of green forests and clean water, places where massive cities are consumed by equally huge forests.

Places where humans can breath without a mask past a certain distance from the borders, but even if that was true it is impossible to conduct an exodus without first reclaiming the poisonous surface of the Dead World, or perhaps that should be the Dead Lands?

In any case, here you are, at a Hansa Surface Base, about to do something you haven't done in a long time.

Train rookie Stalkers. Usually, rookies are given basic kit and have minimal mentorship when going topside, but the leaders of Hansa have found information on a possible Pre-War Arms Factory, one that was missed in the nuclear bombings. While the profit-minded leaders of Hansa are usually not one to believe such tales, they have reason to believe this tale.

[]Because they know you never lie about your finds.
[]Because you brought back proof.
[]Because the Reich scum you dragged back was more than willing to talk.
[]Because you made sure the Red Line animal you captured sang like a bird.

You are the Wanderer, a living legend wrapped in mystery, and you've proven yourself with many great discoveries in the past.

[]After all, you were the who brought Moscow University, the Emerald City, back into contact the wider Metro.
[]You discovered the tools and equipment that allowed for the creation of the first new filters in 15 years after the nukes first fell.
[]You were the only survivor of the anomaly known as 'The Knocker', and remain so.

"Listen up boys and girls," A gruff veteran Hansa Stalker speaks up, drawing your attention back to the present, "For many of you, this will be the first time you've ever been topside, so first things first. Those goggles you've been given aren't there for show; it's a harsh truth but living underground means that our eyes aren't used to the brightness of the natural sun, and it blinds you." The vet holds up a pair of dark-lensed goggles, "We call it Sun Blindness, and while your eyes will eventually adjust, on the surface that time taken to adjust will make you vulnerable to mutants, and now Machines as well."

He grimaced, flexing an arm, "Machines are tougher than flesh and blood, but make no mistake they are not invulnerable. If you can spare them, use Military Grade Rounds to punch through their armour, but if you have none then aim for the optical centers, the large green fuel canisters, and anything that isn't covered in armor. They're tough but bullets will bring them down all the same."

The Veteran grimaced, "Of course, you also know about the mutants. I shouldn't need to explain that you will encounter Watchers and Demons out there. Remember to keep an eye on the sky and behind you at all times. If Machines are present, it's usually a good idea to let them engage the Mutants; the one good thing about these metal beasts is that they hate Mutants almost as much as they don't like humans, and the Mutants?" He chuckled, "They are more than willing to return the favour."

That was a good point to the Machines. Their bodies held valuable electronics, advanced materials, and high-quality alloys. The muscle fibers, which were stimulated by electricity, were even rumored to be part of secret experiments being conducted by the Order, Emerald City and other advanced factions that had access to computer technology.

"Now, you may have noticed that we have a special guest. Please welcome The Wanderer to our little outing." Awestruck eyes turn to face you.

[]You speak, your electronically-scrambled voice sounding female. (You're not.)
[]You speak, your electronically-scrambled voice sounding male. (Haha, not really.)
[]You wave casually. (Why bother speaking now?)

"The Wanderer has agreed to take time out of their busy schedule to help keep an eye on you. They are not here to teach you, that's what your mentors in Hansa are for, as well as the experience learned out there in the Dead City." The Veteran motions to the equipment and crates arrayed around the base, "Now, collect your gear, stock up on plenty of ammo, filters and medkits, and we'll begin the expedition to the factory."

You push away from the crate you were sitting on and head over to where your gear was and begin inspecting it. Your years of wandering allowed you to amass quite the personal arsenal, though you make sure to swap it out occasionally to keep your skills sharp and your options open.

[]You had a feeling that close combat was going to happen, so you took the appropriate weapons. (Start with an Uboink Automatic Shotgun, a Combat Shield, an Axe, and a LoLife.)
[]A balanced kit for ranged and close-up work would be more than sufficient for Moscow. (Start with a Kalash, a Duplet, a Knife and Revolver.)
[]Long-range sniper rifle would be necessary for this, to keep away the more dangerous mutants and Machines. (Start with a Valve sniper rifle, a Kalash, knife and LoLife.)
[]Heavy firepower would be necessary, and you had just the weapons. (Start with an Azbats Heavy Automatic Shotgun and a Clapper Heavy Sniper Rifle along with a knife and revolver.)
[]Stealth, you needed to operate in silence to deal with any opposition without alerting more. (Start with a Tihar Pneumatic Rifle, a Silenced Revolver, Throwing Knifes and your knife.)
[]Today was a special day. You were bringing one of your precious Pre-War guns out to play. In this case, your Shotgun. (Start the game with a Pre-War Shotgun known as The Beast.)