Lore summary
ROUGH TIMELINE
- year 2019: First reported case of SARS-CoV-2 (CoVid-19)
- year 2025: First reported case of SARS-CoV-Z ("zombie disease")
- year 2026: Zombie Containment War
- year 2028: End of civilization as we know it
- year 2035: Current
"ZOMBIES"
Physical description
- Coughs and wheezes (result of strained respiratory systems)
- Low body temperature (algor mortis)
- Pale (declining blood circulation; pallor mortis)
- Smells bad (putrefaction)
Sickness (SARS-CoV-Z)
Origin
Mutation variant of SARS-CoV-2. First case reported 2025.
Cause
Severe brain damage combined with altered sense of smell and taste, as well as an increased appetite for food rich in iron (as a result of severe iron deficiency). As availability of "morally acceptable" sources of iron (animal meats and organs, beans and nuts) were diminished, the infected started attempting to feed on other humans.
As far as we know, the lack of iron is caused by the bacteria of the gut starting to feed on the intestines (a process which normally doesn't happen until after death). Reports show that this premature process can be temporarily halted by ingesting large quantities of iron.
Symptoms
- Strained respiratory systems
- Loss of smell and taste
- Brain damage
- Diarrhea
- Extreme iron deficiency
Transmission
The disease is mainly transmitted via the respiratory route (by inhaling droplets and small airborne particles) that infected people exhale as they breathe, talk, cough or sneeze. Transmission can also happen through bodily fluids: saliva, blood and semen (YES, I WENT THERE).
Some cases of total immunity has been reported, but there is as of yet no evidence of how said immunity is acquired. Current theories include genetical disposition, specific combination of vaccines, or previous medical history.
CHARACTERS
Main character/Player character
NPCS
Vendors/Traders
Scavengers
Raiders
Companions
NOTABLE LOCATIONS
SETTLEMENTS
HOT SPOTS
Heavily infested areas.