Zombie, Neural

First discovered in the Ukraine, this particular type of Zombie was originally thought to be soldiers who were suffering from serious PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It did not take long for those unfortunate enough to encounter these creatures to discover that they were in fact very wrong.

No. Enc: 1d6
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 90’ (30’)
AC: 5 or better
HD: 12
Attacks: 2
Damage: based on weapon type
Save: L12
Morale: N/A
Hoard Class: V, always one ranged high tech weapon, always one piece of high tech armor, always one or more melee weapons, VII

First discovered in the Ukraine, this particular type of Zombie was originally thought to be soldiers who were suffering from serious PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It did not take long for those unfortunate enough to encounter these creatures to discover that they were in fact very wrong.

At first encounter, there does not seem to be anything amiss. They appear to be Pure Human or Humans (see Wisdom from the Wastelands issue 4: New Races for more information), who have a tired and ‘dazed’ appearance about them. They are initially very slow to react but once they realize that prey is close, they will attack with a ferocity that has taken many by complete surprise.

Oddly enough, these creatures do not appear to be undead. They show no signs of wounds or injury, and although they have a vacant look to their eyes, they appear to be perfectly normal. Why these creatures were dubbed zombies is often debated by wastelands scholars, but most agree that it is because they are essentially mindless and live only to kill and feed.

Unlike many other species of zombie encountered in the wastelands, these creatures do not seem to transmit the plague through a bite. In fact, many decades passed before it was discovered that these creatures were not truly dead. Instead they are all victims of a powerful weapon created by the Ancients. This weapon destroyed the higher thought processes of the victim’s brain and left behind only base instinct, and strangely enough, the will to survive and the ability to use weapons.

So far these creatures have only been encountered in the former Ukraine country, but more and more are discovered every year further out, some as far as the former country of Siberia, some as far west as Germany, others as far south as the Mediterranean. To this day, no one has ever discovered the source of these creatures, nor what created them in the first place.

It is not known how long these creatures live, as once the process to turn them into their current state has occurred, all aging appears to stop. These creatures also become completely immune to any sort of neural attack that causes damage, such as mind thrust, and cannot be controlled and are also immune to mutations that affect emotions.

Only Pure Humans and Humans have ever been encountered. Human Mutants have never been seen and it is speculated that due to the physical and chemical changes that occur in the brains of mutants that the process simply kills them outright.

When first encountered, these creatures will not react on the first round. They will stand and stare at those they encounter. This is often a boon to those who know what they are, as it gives them a chance to act and possibly take the creatures down before they can harm anyone.

Once the first round has passed, these mutant monsters strike with a blinding speed. They will never attack with their hands or bite, they will always use weapons. For some reason every single one ever encountered is carrying high tech weapons and know how to use them so well that they gain a +3 to hit. Despite being nearly mindless, these creatures are able to switch out empty magazines or energy sources, and have been known to use other weapons such as grenades. If the weapons they wield are completely drained, they will switch to melee weapons until they or their targets are destroyed.

If that was not bad enough, these creatures are always found in the possession of artifact armor (except for EMA), typically Ballistic Nylon, Metal Insert or Plastic Plate (or any other type of high-tech armor the ML wishes to use instead). It should be noted that all weapons and armor used by these creatures is always condition level 5. It is speculated that despite being nearly mindless, for some reason these creatures are able to maintain their weapons and armor.

Once attackers are defeated, these creatures will then feed on the flesh, gaining all the nutrients they require in order to survive. As long as they have fed, they will regenerate once per hour instead of once every twenty-four hours.

Mutations: Dietary requirement change (human, pure human or humanoid flesh)(d), immune to all mental control or mental attacks that cause damage, quickness, regenerative capability.

Source: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series of games