The Free Stalkers (also loners, neutral stalkers and just stalkers) is the name given to stalkers who aren't part of any faction. They appear as the most widespread faction.
Free Stalkers appear in the Zone because of a variety of motives: money, a thirst for adventure, a desire to explore the unknown, or a desire to start a new life. Some stalkers may eventually join the ranks of Duty or Freedom, but most of the free stalkers do not tolerate any control over themselves and prefer to be on their own, while maintaining neutral relations with all factions.
The main source of income for Free Stalkers is collecting equipment, artifacts, parts of mutants, and general looting. Sometimes they do jobs for money working for traders, scientists, representatives of other factions, or other Stalkers. However, most also like to spend time hanging out in bars or meeting around campfires listening to stories, jokes, or playing the guitar.
