Zombification

The zombie virus initiates the process of zombification, whereby dead tissue is instilled with the ability to move once more. In essence, the virus takes control of the dead tissue and controls it through sending impulses to the decaying muscles and tendons. The virus was an unforseen side effect of Jopha and Astus attempting to create the perfect divine being, the event that created Khydar the Unnatural.

Transmission & Vectors

The transmission of the zombie virus can happen in multiple ways. A living being can be infected through being bitten by a zombie. Depending on the strength of the viral load, it may lay dormant until the creature's death, at which point it will multiply rapidly through the dead tissue and raise them from their deceased state. Alternatively the virus may necrotize surrounding tissue leading to rapid death and reanimation. Necromantic magic can instill ground with the dormant virus or simply introduce the virus into nearby dead bodies. During the zombie wars certain areas were flooded with the virus which has lain dormant within plant life, soil or fungi. The entire planet has seen the virus to greater or lesser degrees, and every region of the planet has sealed off or unexplored regions in which encountering the virus may be possible. Outbreaks are rare, but certainly not unknown and the inherent divine connection of the virus to Khydar the Unnatural ensures that the zombie virus continues. Divine pacts between Enesis, Khydar the Unnatural and Qyrad have kept any attempt by the gods of healing and disease to contain any but the largest of outbreaks that threaten populated areas.

Treatment

Magical healing can remove the virus from a living host. Divine power can turn or destroy a dead host. Some rare herbs are reputed to eliminate or slow the course of the virus even in dead tissue.

Prognosis

For living beings infected with the virus who show rapid onset of symptoms and have no access to magical healing, a rapid painless death at the hands of family or friends followed by burning of the body is the best outcome that can usually be hoped for. Turning into a zombie through the process or necrotizing tissue is a painful and horrifying death, and the certain outcome of the infected unless magical or divine healing can be reached in time.

Prevention

Certain artifacts are known to resist or grant immunity to the virus, but these are rare, and most of that are found on the market are fakes sold by charlatans to the gullible.

History

The Undead Terror was the twenty year period between The Emergence of the Unnatural in 169 and The Treaty of the Dead in 189 and marks the first and most widespread outbreak of zombification in Valine's history.  The worldwide spread of the virus led to the deaths and reanimation of tens of thousands, although other aspects of Undeath also proliferated during this period, which ended when Astus and Khydar made an uneasy truce and Khydar reigned in the spread of zombification and other causes of Undeath.

Type

Viral

Origin

Divine

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Uncommon