Trudov

Hey everyone, I noticed some weird things on the world map in Fallout 4 that completely contradict the lore:

• US and Canada: Why are they still divided by a border? According to the lore, the US fully annexed Canada in 2076 after years of occupation.

• USSR vs. Russia/CIS: Why do we see the modern borders of the Russian Federation and CIS countries instead of the Soviet Union? In the Fallout universe, the USSR never dissolved and lasted until the Great War of 2077.

• The Mediterranean Sea: And most importantly, what happened to the Mediterranean? It's filled with the same green color as the land, just like the Black, Caspian, and Baltic seas. Could the Atlantropa project have been implemented in the Fallout timeline?

Is there an in-game lore explanation for this? Or is it just lazy developers?

Based on this in-game Chinese propaganda poster from the Operation: Anchorage DLC, it looks like the PLA (People's Liberation Army) was actually the first to deploy the Gauss rifle in Alaska. Is that lore-accurate? Did the US military only start using Gauss tech after capturing and reverse-engineering Chinese models?

You can read more about the Pride City here: https://lemmy.world/post/47087243

You can read more about the Federals here: https://lemmy.world/post/44415646

Rat-Hordes are small (1.5 meters tall), bipedal mutants with distinctly rat-like appearances, long rat tails, smooth (where not covered in fur) skin, and greatly elongated hind limbs. They inhabit exclusively the sewage collectors and lower technical levels of the Moscow Metro, preferring dark, damp, and hard-to-reach zones for humans and other larger mutants.

Rat-Hordes are a direct consequence of the same events that gave rise to the Skavens. During the Rat Invasion of 2014, when grey hordes of rats poured from the depths into the Ring Line, the “Biomorph” (https://lemmy.world/post/44620460) pseudovirus ensured bidirectional horizontal gene transfer. If humans infected by rats turned into Skavens, then the rats themselves, biting and devouring infected humans, acquired human genes.

Thus, two parallel evolutionary streams emerged simultaneously:

• Humans → increasingly rat-like (Skavens)
• Rats → increasingly human-like (Rat-Hordes)

As they only appear in the canceled game Metro 2033: Online in the canon, reliable information about them is extremely scarce. It is only known that the first reliable encounters with bipedal Rat-Hordes occurred in the sewers beneath the northern part of the Grey Line and in the Savyolovskaya area – precisely where the main wave of the grey horde was once stopped.

Physiology

The main difference between Rat-Hordes and Skavens is the speed of evolution. Rats reproduce dozens of times faster than humans. A female can give birth just two months after her own birth, and a new generation appears every 2–3 months. Over the same 20 years, during which Skavens saw only two generations, Rat-Hordes could have gone through 30–40 generations (although the birth rate noticeably slowed down after the appearance of pronounced anthropomorphic features).

Key physical characteristics:

• Head — entirely rat-like, with powerful incisors, long vibrissae (whiskers), and black eyes without whites.

• Body — almost smooth, hairless (fur is retained only on the head and in the groin area), which clearly indicates the manifestation of human genes.

• Limbs — long and powerful hind legs, allowing for confident bipedal movement. The forelimbs are not much shorter, but still long, with developed fingers and claws suitable for grasping and simple manipulations.

• Skin — smooth, grey-brown or pinkish in tone, often covered with slime or moisture from the sewers.

Behavior and Social Organization

Rat-Hordes do not possess reason in the human sense. They remain animals – albeit very cunning ones. They are capable of:

• setting organized ambushes,

• using sewage pipes and ventilation for surprise attacks,

• remembering the location of traps and stalker routes,

• coordinating actions within large hordes.

Their behavior is closest to highly organized predatory packs: they hunt collectively, defend territory, and sometimes even demonstrate a primitive “division of roles” (scouts, fighters, “nannies” for the young). However, they lack language, culture, tools, or a societal structure.

Skavens (Ratmen, Rat-folk)— mutant humans inhabiting the northern section of the Grey Line (Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya). They are described and featured as characters in the novel Juliet Without a Name (the cover of which depicts a Skaven).

Description

Skavens, also known throughout in the rest of the Metro by the nicknames “rat-folk” or “ratmen,” represent a distinct population of mutant humans living on the northern stretch of the Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya Line, from Petrovsko-Razumovskaya to Altufyevo stations.

The name “Skaven” was popularized by a resident of Otradnoye station, who borrowed the term from the Warhammer Fantasy Battles universe. In the scientific circles of Polis, they are referred by the Latin name Homo-rattus sapiens, which literally means “Wise Rat-man.”

History

The history of this community is inextricably linked to the tragic events of the first years following the nuclear war (in 2014). When massive swarms of mutant rats surged from the depths toward the Circle Line, they swept away everything in their path, capturing station after station. The main bulk of the “Grey Horde” was only stopped by flamethrowers on the approaches to Savyolovskaya. (Note: A young Artyom lived at this station at the time; that invasion left him with lifelong ratophobia.)

All survivors of this invasion were infected with rat genes. A pseudo-virus known as “Biomorph” made horizontal gene transfer possible between the rats and humans. (https://lemmy.world/post/44620460)

When the bitten survivors attempted to seek help from the residents of other stations, they were met with bullets at the checkpoints due to fears of spreading a plague. Those who managed to survive the illness in isolation were physically changed forever, becoming outcasts in the eyes of the rest of the Metro.

Physiology

One of the key features of their biology is an incredible resistance to radiation. Skavens are capable of going to the surface without protective suits or masks, giving them a colossal advantage over ordinary humans.

The physical appearance of the Skavens is not uniform; it presents a visual timeline of gradual evolution and deepening mutation from one generation to the next. The changes can be categorized by generations:

• The First Generation (The “Survivors”): These are the people who personally witnessed the Catastrophe and survived the rat bites and subsequent epidemic. Externally, they are almost indistinguishable from other Metro dwellers. Their true nature is revealed only by details: their irises have turned black and reflect a reddish tint in the light. Additionally, their nail plates have become significantly thicker and stronger, evolving into something resembling rat claws.
• The Second Generation (e.g., “Krysya” on the book cover): Mutations are much more pronounced, though human features are still recognizable. Their eyes have completely transformed—the whites (sclera) are gone, and the eyeball is filled with a reflective pigment that allows them to see in absolute darkness but makes them vulnerable to bright light. The facial structure begins to deform: the bones elongate, noses become small and flat, and the ears shift higher than those of normal humans. Prominent front incisors and fully formed claws are also characteristic of this generation.
• The Third Generation: These individuals undergo the most radical changes, their faces resembling rat snouts more than human countenances. Their facial bones are maximally elongated, and animalistic eyes without whites, combined with sharp incisors, complete the non-human image. Some individuals begin to grow thick fur over their bodies. There are signs of rudimentary tails appearing and the lengthening of the feet, which may indicate an early stage of transitioning to a digitigrade gait (They can't wear human shoes anymore.).
• The fourth generation hasn't been born yet, but if the current trend continues, they will look significantly more like actual rats. Some speculate that by the eighth or tenth generation, our Metro Skavens may become almost indistinguishable from their infamous cousins in Warhammer Fantasy.

Politics

Contrary to the popular belief that Skavens are mindless, wild beasts, they have created their own civilization with its own micro-states:

1. SKAVEN STATIONS COMMONWEALTH (S.S.C.): Comprising Otradnoye, Bibirevo, and Vladykino. This is a federative republic built on principles of equality, mutual aid, and collective management. The highest authority is the Council, consisting of two representatives from each station. The role of Chairman rotates constantly to prevent a dictatorship. The Commonwealth is focused on preserving the remnants of pre-war culture: they emphasize education, sports, and even art—for example, Bibirevo station has a theater that performs Shakespeare. However, beneath this civilized exterior lies a readiness for total defense; the spirit of patriotism is so high that in times of danger, everyone—including women and teenagers—takes up arms.

2. THE NORTHERN EMIRATE (N.E.): Located at Petrovsko-Razumovskaya station. The N.E. is the most rigid and hierarchical Skaven state. This society lives under the strict laws of a theocratic, quasi-Islamic order which, over years of isolation, has acquired specific, sometimes distorted post-apocalyptic traits. All secular and spiritual power is concentrated in the hands of the Emir. The social structure is based on a caste system and slavery:

• “Black Skavens” (descendants of people of Middle Eastern/Caucasian origin): Free citizens.

• “Yellow Skavens” (descendants of Asian origins, such as Kazakhs or Vietnamese): Held in the position of slaves.

• “White Skavens” (descendants of Russians and other Europeans): Most migrated to the S.S.C.

• The status of women in the N.E. is tied to that of their male relative (husband or father).

Their economy is built on mining jewelry and gold for trade with the S.S.C. A central pillar of their ideology is the “Ghaza” (holy war) against the Humans-Satanists settled at Timiryazevskaya, whom the Skavens call “Sons of Shaitan.”

3. ALTUFYEVO LIBERTINES: Located at the far north of the Grey Line, this is a haven for outcasts, escaped slaves from the Emirate, and adventurers of all stripes. Originally a zone of permanent chaos, power was seized in 2024 by Stanislav Kozhin, known as “Kozhan” (The Leatherman). He established a regime resembling a wolf pack or a criminal gang, where “might makes right.” Their economy is parasitic: they survive by robbing S.S.C. caravans, hunting Hansa stalkers, and raiding neighboring territories. Despite the constant conflict, Altufyevo occasionally enters situational alliances and trades with both the S.S.C. and the Emirate to maintain a fragile balance of power.

Relation to the Rest of Humanity

The relationship between Skavens and the inhabitants of the Great Metro is characterized by deep mutual hatred. Skavens refer to ordinary humans as “the Clean” and cannot forgive the betrayal of 2014, when they were abandoned to die and effectively erased from Metro history, declared dead.

From the perspective of “normal” humans, Skavens were long considered merely dangerous monsters. Stalkers adhered to the rule: “A good rat-man is a dead rat-man,” especially after several Polis expeditions attempting to make contact disappeared without a trace.

Later, when Hansa intelligence and Polis authorities realized the potential value of Skavens as radiation-immune guides, attempts were made to negotiate, but all failed. Currently, interest in them is maintained primarily by scientists seeking a live specimen to study the mechanisms of their biological resilience.

Volkolaks (Russian: Волкалаки). These are mutants from the “Metro 2033” universe that combine the traits of humans and wolves, though they are not the classic werewolves of folklore. Their nature is the result of post-apocalyptic changes that shaped a similar kind of predator.

APPEARANCE

Volkolaks possess a characteristic appearance that clearly demonstrates their dual nature, harmoniously combining anthropomorphic and bestial traits.

They are capable of moving on two legs, a clear sign of their human heritage. Their physique is characterized by a broad back and powerfully developed shoulder muscles, giving them impressive strength. Their limbs also betray their anthropomorphic nature: five-fingered forepaws with an opposable thumb allow them to perform grasping movements, marking them not just as predators, but as creatures capable of manipulating objects.

However, alongside these human traits, Volkolaks possess distinct wolf-like features.

Their heads feature an elongated wolf-like snout with rows of predatory teeth and sharp wolf ears located on the crown of the head. Their entire body is covered in thick fur, the color of which can vary—for example, the Biysk Volkolaks have black fur streaked with grey.

Despite their ability for bipedalism, their limbs do not have entirely human proportions; they are unnaturally elongated. Furthermore, Volkolaks are digitigrade creatures (walking on their toes), which indicates their speed and agility in movement. They also possess a tail, which is an integral part of their beastly appearance.

CHARACTERISTICS

Beyond their physical traits, Volkolaks are distinguished by several unique features that set them apart from other mutants. The most significant of these is their heightened intelligence, which far exceeds that of ordinary animals.

This intelligence allows them to conduct organized collective hunts, a sign of complex social interaction and strategic thinking. Volkolaks are known to set clever ambushes in abandoned buildings, using the terrain to their advantage.

In certain cases, this intelligence allows them not only to obey a pack leader but also, as shown in the novel Metro 2033: Arkaim, to enter into a kind of symbiosis with a human, accepting their leadership.

Their social behavior is also quite specific. While Volkolaks act in packs, their hierarchy does not always follow the typical wolf model of a dominant alpha pair. Instead, it resembles the primitive social groups of pre-rational human ancestors, where several “families” coexist, united by common goals. This suggests a complex system of interaction, possibly involving a division of roles and specific forms of communication.

BEHAVIOR

Volkolaks are primarily pack predators whose hunting tactics are built on surprise and pursuit. Their main methods of attack are ambushes and chases, organized using their intelligence and knowledge of the area. They do not use traps in the human sense, but they masterfully utilize natural and man-made cover for stealthy attacks.

Despite their intelligence, in some respects, their behavior remains purely animalistic. For example, they instinctively react to fire like wild animals: flames terrify them, forcing them to retreat. This trait is often used by humans as one of the few effective ways to defend against their attacks.

LOCATIONS AND ENCOUNTERS

In St. Petersburg: In the novel Metro 2033: Towards the Light, packs of Volkolaks actively pursue a railcar carrying the main characters and repeatedly attack their squad on the way to Kronstadt. Here, they demonstrate the danger of group hunting, though they can be fended off by a human who is armed and ready for resistance.

In Yekaterinburg: In the book Metro 2033: Below Hell, several Volkolaks ambush the main characters at an abandoned gas station. The heroes manage to escape by exploiting one of the mutants’ key weaknesses: by setting the gas station on fire, they scare the predators away. It is likely that the local Volkolaks, along with other mutants in the region, were subsequently wiped out by the Federals who occupied the city. (https://lemmy.world/post/44415646)

In Chelyabinsk: In Metro 2033: Arkaim, a pack of these mutants is under the direct control of an Orthodox Monk. On his command, the Volkolaks do not touch the group of main characters, which testifies to their capacity for obedience and, perhaps, a developed semblance of sentience that allows them to interact with humans on a level beyond the usual predator-prey relationship.

Volkolaks also inhabit the outskirts of Moscow, though they do not enter the city itself, unable to withstand the competition from local Moscow mutants.

Note: A volkolak is a Slavic werewolf.