Tarkov

Modern/ContemporaryNo MagicGrittyMystery

1plays

0remixes

•Nov 2025

In the ruined metropolis of Tarkov, a lone PMC must navigate a labyrinth of abandoned factories, derelict malls, and hostile scavenger gangs, each vying for control in a city torn apart by the Contract Wars. With no law, no magic, and the Russian military sealing the escape routes, survival hinges on cunning, gear, and the fragile alliances forged with enigmatic traders who offer the only hope of slipping past the barricades to the terminal docks.

World Overview

Set in the Norvinsk region located on the frontier between Russia and Europe, the metropolis of Tarkov was plunged into anarchy thanks to the Contract Wars. What was once a bustling city, is now roamed by rivalling scavenger gangs, former private military forces and black ops units. The player is a PMC, an abandoned operator who will have to do what it takes to survive if they ever want to escape Tarkov. Private Military Companies BEAR and USEC (United Security) were engaged in the Contract Wars for years, fighting in the province of Tarkov. Eventually, the situation degraded to a point where both BEAR and USEC commanding forces retreated, leaving all PMC's (Contractors) in the Tarkov region abandoned, without support. PMC's, left to fend for themselves, broke ties. Most everyone became hostile in Tarkov, killing on site rather than letting themselves be killed. There is no magic in this world, only the gear you have and the gear you find. The only "help" PMC's may find are through the traders. These traders are Prapor, Therapist, Mechanic, Skier, Ragman, Jaeger, Ref, and Peacekeeper. Prapor deals in Russian Arms and armor. Therapist deals in medical supplies. Mechanic deals in firearms and firearm parts. Skier deals in criminal activities. Ragman deals in clothing and armor. Jaeger deals in survival equipment. Peacekeeper is a corrupt UN official who sells NATO weaponry and armor. Ref deals in cosmetics. The traders offer contracts to the PMC's in exchange for money and information to help the PMC's work toward escaping Tarkov. The ultimate goal is to Escape Tarkov through the Terminal docks near Shoreline, but it is locked down by the Russian Army and impossible to bypass. It is up to the PMC's to figure out a way to escape. This may take years.

Geography & Nations

Tarkov is split into multiple different subsections. These subsections include the Factory, Customs, the Woods, the Reserve base, the Shoreline, the Lighthouse, the Interchange mall, and the Terragroup Labs (which require a keycard to enter). There are "Scav Bosses" who roam these areas. Each laying claim to a specific area. Tagilla roams Factory with a sledgehammer and custom welding mask, beating unsuspecting PMC's to death when they wander into his Factory. Killa roams Interchange with a custom black altyn mask painted with three vertical white lines. His helmet is bulletproof and he carries a machine gun. Shturman roams the Woods with a sniper rifle and two guards. He wears a black fur coat. Reshala roams Customs with five guards and a golden TT pistol. He wears a brown jacket. Partizan is a hunter, who may stalk PMC's in the Woods. He generally doesnt attack until his victory is assured. Glukar roams the Reserve base with a machine gun. He also has five guards. The "Goons" are a trio of former USEC operatives who work together to hunt PMC's. They are made up of Knight, Big Pipe, and Birdeye. Knight wears a skull mask, Big Pipe smokes a pipe, and Birdeye is a sniper. They are extremely dangerous and may roam between any location. At night, the Cultists come out. The Cultists are a shadowy group with unknown intentions, attacking PMC's and Scavs on sight. They prefer using poisoned blades rather than firearms, but will shoot when threatened. Any and all Scav bosses may be in the Labs area at any given time.

Races & Cultures

All people are human.

Current Conflicts

Tarkov is under a dog-eat-dog type environment now, and friendships are very few and far between. The Russian military has quarantined Tarkov, meaning that escape is nearly impossible. Everyone wants to escape, but doing so will take a long time and an unimaginable effort.

Magic & Religion

There are no gods, there is no magic.

Planar Influences

No other planes influence Tarkov, at least that people can see.

Historical Ages

Tarkov used to be a thriving city, and was up to date with modern technology. With the ending of the Contract Wars, the city was abandoned by all civilians, leaving it a ghost town except for the trapped PMC's and Scavs. There is an abundance of weapons and armor, but more than anything else is an abundance of hostiles.

Economy & Trade

Everybody trades in Roubles, USD, or Euros. The standard for trade is through Roubles.

Law & Society

There is no law, people fight simply to survive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tarkov?

What is Spindle?

Spindle is an interactive reading app where you become the main character in richly crafted story worlds. Think of it like stepping inside your favorite book—you make choices, shape relationships, and discover how the story unfolds around you. If you love series like Fourth Wing or A Court of Thorns and Roses, Spindle lets you live inside worlds with that same depth and drama.

How do I start a story in Tarkov?

Tap "Create Story" and create your character—give them a name, a look, and a backstory. From there, the story opens around you and you guide it by choosing what your character says and does. There's no wrong way to read; every choice leads somewhere interesting, and the narrative adapts to you.

Can I write my own fiction?

Absolutely. Spindle gives storytellers the tools to build and publish their own worlds—craft the lore, the characters, the conflicts, and the magic. Once you publish, other readers can discover and experience your story. It's a beautiful way to share the worlds living in your imagination.

Is Spindle a game?

Spindle is more of an interactive reading experience than a traditional game. There are no scores to chase or levels to grind. The focus is on story, character, and the choices you make. Think of it as a novel where you're the protagonist—the pleasure is in the narrative, not the mechanics.

Can I read with friends?

Yes! You can invite friends into the same story. Each person plays their own character, and the narrative weaves everyone's choices together. It's like a book club where you're all inside the book at the same time—perfect for friends who love the same kinds of stories.