It all starts from a virus shrouded in mystery. It not only has no cure or vaccine, it also brings its human victims back alive - with a cannibalistic hunger. Yet early on, few people would know the danger they are really dealing with. It has arisen many times in the past in human history. However, when the virus appears once more, the potential for worldwide devastation is far greater than ever. How will the nations of today respond? How will humanity stand its ground as the walking dead are at its doorsteps?
Follow the journeys of countless people as they live through the years of the undead plague.
Premise
This roleplay is based on two of Max Brooks’s novel: The Zombie Survival Guide and World War Z. Therefore, the roleplay will use elements directly from these novels, rather than the film or games based on these novels. You need not worry about a fast-acting virus and you certainly do not need to worry about fast/running zombies.
Zombie Virus
The Solanum virus is the virus responsible for zombification. It is neither airborne nor waterborne, but it can be transmitted via exchange of bodily fluids (e.g. bites, scratches). The virus replicates using cells in the frontal lobe of the brain, and it mutates other brain cells into self-efficient structures. Zombified brain cells can produce their own oxygen, relieving them from dependence on the respiratory and circulatory systems.
No person is immune from Solanum and there is no vaccine or cure. The only prevention involves amputation of a limb if the site of infection is there; even so, the chances of survival are extremely slim. The time between initial infection and zombification can vary. A person may notice discoloration and fever; followed by dementia, numbing of body parts, and poor muscular coordination. Late-stage symptoms include paralysis, coma and cessation of heart/brain activity. At least one hour would pass before zombification sets in and the person awakes as a zombie.
The Solanum virus can only zombify humans. Some animals (e.g. mice) cannot be zombified and will simply die from infection after several hours.
Zombies
Zombies tend to have wrinkled greyish skin, and whatever blood remains in their bodies would be thick and gooey. The only major organ active is the mutated brain, which drives the cannibalistic tendencies of zombies. Though the undead are very slow, they have unparalleled durability and can seemingly survive serious mutilations. Whereas a human can be killed in more than a thousand ways, the only way to kill a zombie is with severe head trauma or destruction of the brain.
Zombies appear to be adapted to last. They would exhibit delayed rotting or decomposition, and may have greater tolerance to weather extremes such as freezing temperatures (as long as their bodies do not completely freeze in this case). Thanks to unusually-elevated bite forces of zombies, substantial personal armor would be required to nullify any chances of infection via biting. It is not known how the undead get their energy (as with organisms getting energy for homeostasis/survival) or are able to keep their zombified brains oxygenated.
Deviations from the WWZ Novels
- Zombies will not have improved senses compared to humans, aside from being able to smell blood. Extreme feats described in the WWZ books, such as surviving gigantic oceanic pressures and seeing lit cigarettes/matches from miles away, will NOT apply in the roleplay.
- Zombies reanimated from fresh/non-mutilated corpses will have temporarily-enhanced capabilities, such as increased speed (at most, mildly jogging or power walking). Zombies that are able to move may briefly lunge forward to grab at prey or an object of interest.
- Certain animals with sufficiently-complex brains (i.e. mammals) may be reanimated by the Solanum virus. Some of the potential candidates include primates, canines and felines.
- Certain chemicals such as nerve agents and acid agents can immobilize zombies.
Setting
The roleplay will start on December 1, 2019, which is a bit later than our current time. As with the WWZ novel, the zombie virus will first appear near the Yangtze River in China and will spread to other countries across the globe. The virus will certainly spread with unorthodox means, such as via illegal organ trade (this is also how it was dispersed quickly in the novel).
As zombies slowly start to rise, nations and people may be simultaneously dealing with various real-world issues, such as sporting events (e.g. 2020 Summer Olympics) and political issues (e.g. Iran nuclear deal). Initially, not many people would be aware about the living dead; perhaps people are dismissive of rumors, or perhaps governments are actively suppressing news about the walking dead. Once it is clear that the dead are truly coming back... well, you'll have to follow the journeys of countless people for that.
Rules
- OP’s (Tarnislav's) word is law.
- Each person is allowed to control at most a total of three nations/characters (three nations, two nations + one character, one nation + two characters, OR three characters).
- OP will describe where the Solanum virus has spread to, and people will be able to describe what happens from the outbreak(s).
- Roleplay fairly and with reason. If whatever you’re planning affects another person’s country or character, get the person’s permission or consent if necessary.
- Use nuclear weapons sparingly.
- Also, while radioactive zombies are possible (zombies carrying radioactive particles due to nuclear meltdowns or attacks), keep in mind that this is a zombie roleplay rather than a nuclear zombie roleplay.
- Start with pre-existing countries (e.g. North Korea, Somalia, Italy). The original WWZ story ended with many geopolitical changes, but they happen years after the world descended into the undead chaos.
- When in doubt, ask the OP.
- Don't take this way too seriously. Have a bit of fun!
Applications
Nation Application
- Code: Select all
[align=center][img]https://i.imgur.com/CjCiqHM_d.jpg[/img]
[size=200][b]World War Z[/b][/size]
[size=150]Nation Application[/size][/align]
[b]Nation Name:[/b]
[b]Capital City:[/b]
[b]Population:[/b] [December 2019 estimate]
[b]Military Size:[/b] [2019 estimate]
[b]Government Type:[/b]
[b]Head of State:[/b]
[b]Head of Government:[/b]
[b]Extent of Media Freedom:[/b] [optional]
[b]Freedom of Mobility:[/b] [optional]
[b]Notes:[/b]
Character Application
- Code: Select all
[align=center][img]https://i.imgur.com/CjCiqHM_d.jpg[/img]
[size=200][b]World War Z[/b][/size]
[size=150]Character Application[/size][/align]
[b]Character Name:[/b]
[b]Age:[/b]
[b]Sex:[/b]
[b]Appearance:[/b] [image or description]
[b]Nationality:[/b]
[b]Occupation:[/b]
[b]Personality:[/b] [strengths, weaknesses, etc.]
[b]Background:[/b]
[b]Notes:[/b]
