radiation poisoning. During this time, a radiation icon appears on the screen and fades through from green to yellow to red, signifying the strength of the poisoning, which grows the longer the player remains present in the affected areas. The stronger the poisoning, the faster the player's health decreases. Unless the player dies from damage caused by radiation poisoning, there are no permanent effects from contracting it other than health loss. However, radiation will persist and continue to drain health until either radiation medication or a substantial amount of vodka is consumed. Radiation can primarily be avoided by wearing certain artifacts that neutralize radiation or more advanced suits that will effectively protect the player from radiation. In much the same way radiation works as a gameplay mechanic, the player will occasionally become hungry during their travels. During this state, an icon of a crossed fork and spoon will appear. Consuming in-game food items returns the player state from hungry to not hungry, which removes the negative impact on stamina that the hunger status gives. However, if one ignores eating, it will result in the death of the player in a certain amount of time. As with radiation and hunger, bleeding is another state of detriment which the player must try to avoid or manage while playing the game. Bleeding occurs when the player sustains certain kinds of injuries of certain severity (such as being shot or stabbed). The player will lose the amount of health determined by the landed blow and will continue to lose small amounts of health as they hemorrhage. Bleeding can sometimes stop on its own, but the player can prevent further bleeding by applying bandages or using first aid kits, thereby preventing further health loss. Plot Shadow of Chernobyl offers 7 different endings based on the player's actions. The ending below is considered canon in the series. The game opens with lightning striking a vehicle, causing it to crash. The player character is the sole survivor and wakes up in a local black-market trader's bunker. The player suffers from amnesia and has only two clues to his identity. The first is a tattoo of the acronym "S.T.A.L.K.E.R." and the second is a PDA, with the entry "Kill Strelok". Sidorovich, the trader, gives them the nickname "Marked One". The Marked One performs several tasks for Sidorovich as payment for saving his life. Through these missions and new