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. Free Stalkers (AKA Loners) is the name given to stalkers who aren’t part of any faction. It’s unknown when exactly the Loners group was founded, however due to the arrival of illegal personnel in the Zone shortly after 2006, it can be assumed it was one of the very first factions created in the Zone.
― Encyclopedia, Shadow of Chernobyl
