Shterev no longer needs Faust's guidance, but I certainly do. I need to locate the ship he mentioned and find a guide who can show me the way to the Clear Sky Base. I don't know what the blind zealot is up to, but I'm going to confront him and put an end to his schemes.
Journal entry
In Search of a Guide is a main quest in Heart of Chornobyl.
Description[]
Inquire about Clear Sky on the Shevchenko or Skadovsk[]
The player can go to the Sultansk or Shevchenko to ask about Clear Sky, but regardless of choice Richter will be present. Skif will ask Richter if he can take him to Clear Sky; instead Richter will admit that he stopped guiding due to an fatal accident that resulted in the three people he was guiding dying, a mistake that haunts him to this day. He will refuse to take Skif anywhere until he is a "true guide", someone who knows The Zone and that the Zone loves. He instead points him in the direction of Nimble, who is with Trapper hunting mutants for the Sultan, and would likely know how to get to there.
Learn about Nimble's whereabouts from Trapper[]
After getting the coordinates from Richter, Skif will be chastised over radio by Trapper for making too much noise around the observation deck. Talking to Trapper reveals that Nimble was supposed to set off an explosive in the Snork Cave but didn't, leading Trapper to assume he ran off with his half of the payment. As Trapper gives Skif the coordinates to the cave, they are ambushed by mutants, which allows the player to leave for the cave or help Trapper.
Help Trapper fight off the mutants (Optional)[]
If the player chooses to assist Trapper, they need to kill the Deer, a mutant with the ability to spawn mutants. Additionally, 1x Boar, 1x Blind Dog, and 1x Rodent will spawn by the player. Successfully killing the Deer and keeping Trapper alive will give the player coupons.
Get to the Snork Cave[]
After reaching the entrance to the Snork Cave, growls and gunshots can be heard inside. Run through the cave until Stingray-3 can be seen through the opening on the left.
Locate Nimble[]
As Skif walks into the cave, Nimble arms an explosive and advises him to run as Snorks detect them. After the explosion sends both further into the cave and Nimble kills a burning Snork, Skif recognizes him as the stalker who took his scanner at the Old Bridge. Nimble will initially deny and attempt to run off before Skif shoots and disarms him. It is revealed that Nimble was guiding Faust's group at the start of the game, and due to his proclaimed "not in the business of killing stalkers" rule, is also responsible for sparing Skif's life. The player is then given the choice of either killing or sparing Nimble.
Kill Nimble[]
Nimble will attempt to run off, requiring the player to chase after and kill him for Professor Kalancha's map.
Spare Nimble[]
Nimble will give Skif Professor Kalancha's map and strongly advise him to not go to the base. It's revealed that when Professor Kalancha left, he set up four psi-beacons capable of controlling psi-fields around Clear Sky, making it impossible for anyone to reach the base without assistance. At some point prior to leaving for the CNPP, Kalancha gave Nimble the map and told him about the beacons. It's further revealed by Nimble that he is last surviving member of Clear Sky. He likens Skif's stubbornness and "crazy eyes" to Scar before the mission ends.
Rewards[]
The player receives Professor Kalancha's map, and Nimble's Saiga D-12 (20% durability), which can be taken from the cave floor. Coupon payout will vary on game difficulty and patch (values listed as of 1.1.4).
Assist Trapper (Optional)[]
The following payout is given if the player helps Trapper kill the mutants:
- Rookie: 5398
- Stalker: 4000
- Veteran: 3000
Spare Nimble[]
If the player chose to spare Nimble, they will receive 1x Anti-rads, 1x Water, 2x Medkit, 3x Canned Food, and 30x 5.56x45mm M885. In addition, the coupon payout is as follows:
- Rookie: 8098
- Stalker: 6000
- Veteran: 4500
Kill Nimble[]
The player can only loot Nimble's body for a reward if he is killed. He will always have a UDP Compact, his PDA, and a random amount of .45 ACP FMJ rounds. Anything else in his inventory is randomized.