Living Zombies [Horror/Zombies]

AlexanderHowl · 12-05-2019, 03:59 PM

Living zombies are living entities (usually human, but technically any higher animal would work) that exhibit any combination of decreased intelligence, increased aggression, and, sometimes, increased perception, willpower, strength, and/or other advantages. They may be created through divine curses, magical rituals, or scientific processes, and they may or may not be contagious. For example:

The Rage Plague

Stage One: ST+1, IQ-1, Per+2, Will+2, Bad Temper (15-), and Berserk (15-)

Stage Two: ST+2, IQ-2, Per+4, Will+4, Bad Temper (12-), and Berserk (12-)

Stage Three: ST+3, IQ-3, Per+6, Will+6, Bad Temper (9-), and Berserk (9-)

Stage Four: ST+4, IQ-4, Per+8, Will+8, Bad Temper (6-), and Berserk (6-)

The Rage Plague (a mutation of the rabies virus) is an example of a highly contagious disease that transforms its victims into living zombies. Whenever a potential target is exposed to bodily fluids that contains the Rage Plague, they must make a HT roll. If they critically succeed, they do not catch the disease. If they succeed, they become carriers of the disease. If they fail, they proceed the stage one over the next week. If they critically fail, they die within the next week due to inflammation of the brain.

Rage Plague carriers are asymptomatic and will not progress to stage one, but they may spread the Rage Plague to anyone who comes into unprotected contact with their bodily fluids (as above). If an individual progresses to stage one due to failing a HT roll, they roll another HT roll a week after reaching stage one. If they critically fail, they die. If they fail, they proceed to stage two. If they succeed, they stablize but are contagious. If they critically succeed, they stablize and are no longer contagious.

The HT rolls continue until the character stablizes, reaches stage four, or dies. While the symptomatic population is problematic, it is the carriers that are the true threat. They are capable of spreading the disease through donating blood, kissing, sex, etc., and they are unaware of the threat.

So, have you used living zombies in your settings? Are they similar to the victims of the rage plague (which suffer from a 0 CP change) or are they less capable? In your opinion, are living zombies better than undead zombies and, if so, why?

12-05-2019, 03:59 PM	#1
AlexanderHowl Join Date: Feb 2016	Living Zombies [Horror/Zombies] Living zombies are living entities (usually human, but technically any higher animal would work) that exhibit any combination of decreased intelligence, increased aggression, and, sometimes, increased perception, willpower, strength, and/or other advantages. They may be created through divine curses, magical rituals, or scientific processes, and they may or may not be contagious. For example: The Rage Plague Stage One: ST+1, IQ-1, Per+2, Will+2, Bad Temper (15-), and Berserk (15-) Stage Two: ST+2, IQ-2, Per+4, Will+4, Bad Temper (12-), and Berserk (12-) Stage Three: ST+3, IQ-3, Per+6, Will+6, Bad Temper (9-), and Berserk (9-) Stage Four: ST+4, IQ-4, Per+8, Will+8, Bad Temper (6-), and Berserk (6-) The Rage Plague (a mutation of the rabies virus) is an example of a highly contagious disease that transforms its victims into living zombies. Whenever a potential target is exposed to bodily fluids that contains the Rage Plague, they must make a HT roll. If they critically succeed, they do not catch the disease. If they succeed, they become carriers of the disease. If they fail, they proceed the stage one over the next week. If they critically fail, they die within the next week due to inflammation of the brain. Rage Plague carriers are asymptomatic and will not progress to stage one, but they may spread the Rage Plague to anyone who comes into unprotected contact with their bodily fluids (as above). If an individual progresses to stage one due to failing a HT roll, they roll another HT roll a week after reaching stage one. If they critically fail, they die. If they fail, they proceed to stage two. If they succeed, they stablize but are contagious. If they critically succeed, they stablize and are no longer contagious. The HT rolls continue until the character stablizes, reaches stage four, or dies. While the symptomatic population is problematic, it is the carriers that are the true threat. They are capable of spreading the disease through donating blood, kissing, sex, etc., and they are unaware of the threat. So, have you used living zombies in your settings? Are they similar to the victims of the rage plague (which suffer from a 0 CP change) or are they less capable? In your opinion, are living zombies better than undead zombies and, if so, why?