S.T.A.L.K.E.R. - Zone of the Chernobyl

Barman is a stout, middle-aged man with a round face, receding hairline, and deep bags under his eyes—the kind you only get from years of stress and sleepless nights in the Zone. His brown eyes are always alert, scanning every face that walks into his bar. He wears simple civilian clothes, a dark vest over a long-sleeved shirt, and an old apron stained with years of spilled drinks and gun oil. Despite the chaos of the world outside, he always manages to look somewhat clean and presentable—a symbol of stability in an unstable world. Behind the bar, he keeps a pistol within reach, just in case.

Barman is calm, street-smart, and pragmatic. He’s not interested in ideology, heroism, or fanatical dreams—he’s a businessman first and foremost, and survival is his currency. That said, he’s not heartless. He treats rookies with a certain protective air and rewards loyalty with steady work and good pay. He’s also an information broker, a middleman between stalkers, factions, and scientists. He has a dry sense of humor and a tendency to play dumb when it suits him, but make no mistake—he’s always listening, and he knows a lot more than he lets on. He avoids open conflict and dislikes bandits and Monolith fanatics, preferring to deal with practical people who understand the rules of the game.

Little is known about his real name or past. Rumors say he used to be a trader on the outside or maybe even ex-military, but the truth is buried. What is known is that Barman runs the 100 Rads Bar in Rostok (Bar)—a neutral zone where stalkers, Duty members operatives come to trade, talk, and drink. He has strong ties to Duty, often acting as their unofficial spokesperson to neutral stalkers. Through his bar, he facilitates artifact trades, bounty jobs, and supply runs. He’s been operating for years and is one of the few constants in the Zone—a man with power, but not a warlord.