Infected Classes & Types.

Shamblers:

Biography: General victims of the viral attack, Shamblers are the most basic of the mutated infected. They hold the majority of infected numbers, and while being slow and inhibited by their lack of cognitive functions, they are something to be feared nonetheless. They move in small groups, usually consisting of a minimum of three and reaching a maximum that is only inhibited by the space that fits them. They're often monotonous in tone, moaning and groaning with no particular effort. They are usually heavily disabled because they've been feasted upon quite severely before viral reanimation. Shamblers are found throughout all of the American Quarantine Zone.

Weaknesses: The virus has mutated the Shamblers in the most basic form; they have their senses reduced to very primitive functionality. Their sight is largely inhibited, glaring light and natural sunlight tends to make them anxious, and likely to seek shelter. Because of their nature of infection, Shamblers are often missing limbs or have crippling conditions that inhibit movement faster than a quick limp-walk. Though they immune to pain and repeated bodily attacks, they tend to be weak individually and while decapitation or brain damage tends to stunt and kill them, repeated bodily damage can subdue Shamblers to the point of their threat level reaching next to nothing.

Strengths: Shamblers move with a horde mentality. It's very rare to find one on it's own as they seem to attract one another. They don't have any specific abilities, but their lack of pain, and ability to take repetitive damage is something of concern to a survivor, especially when Shamblers never move alone. When a Shambler begins to hunt, it emits rough groans and moans and these moans tend to attract other Shamblers in the nearby vicinity. Shamblers while being physically slow and clumsy, do however have a particularly strong bite if their successful at an attack; they can often break skin and remove flesh in chunks with a successful bite.

Additional Information: Infection rate from Shamblers is 100%. Successful skin breakage from either mouths or fingernails are always fatal and if a survivor is bitten or their skin is broken from a successful scratch they should be immediately disposed of. But it is worth noting that the only reason a scratch from fingernails is fatal to a survivor is if the person who has become a shambler has infected tissue under their nails. If survivors are diligent and concerned enough, regular washing under the nails can ensure that if a survivor who is infected reanimates after death he or she will not be, at least initially, contagious by scratching unless they get infected flesh under their nails.

Runners:

Biography: Runners are something to be feared among the streets of Lassidus. They are generally the mutated infected of survivors who managed to escape a full on attack by shamblers, but have succumbed to the infection taking over their body. Usually their body remains in near perfect condition and are unrestricted in their movements. Runners are agile, merciless and able to endure the longest of chases. Runners also tend to have better vocalization and so should be dispatched as soon as possible when encountered as their moans and groans tend to encourage a frenzy among shamblers.

Weaknesses: As a result of their mutation, Runners are less tolerant to physical abuse. Easily toppled and distracted, if a survivor is smart, they can distract a Runner and subdue it as fast as it attacks. Runners are also one-track minded. When chasing a target they don't tend to deviate from a straight line if they don't need to. Also, they tend to need less physical abuse to be subdued than a shambler would. Runner have weaker bites than shamblers... It's speculated their "rage" mentality focuses more on subduing and a combination of slap/punch attacking to make stop their prey and then eat.

Strengths: Runners are notoriously quick with infinite endurance. Their attacks when in close combat range are fast, incoherent and flustering. If unable to be blocked Runner can force a survivor to their knees and will quickly find themselves being bombarded with slapping, hitting and wild biting.

Additional Information: Scratches from infected only have approx. 5% chance of infecting a survivor who isn't immune... It's unknown why their physical attacks such as scratching aren't as infectious as other infected like shamblers... but survivors should feel somewhat comforted that if they get away from a Runner without being bitten, their chance of survival is in good odds. However a successful bite that breaks the skin from a runner is 100% successful.

Animals

Biography: When Paradome created the virus they used to turn the living into flesh hungry undead, they also developed a second strain that would infect the fauna too. It was something they wanted to observe in some sort of sick quest for knowledge. Infected animals range in size, speed, attack and more. But as a general rule they're usually the reanimated body of a deceased animal. They can't infect other people (at least evidence thus far has concluded they can't.) But they do actively seek food, as it seems, like the human undead, all infected animals have an insatiable hunger. It has been observed however, that strictly herbivorous animals who are infected seem to still eat only flora, but are aggressive and unpredictable to uninfected, so much as they will attack a survivor or uninfected animal until it is deceased.

Weaknesses: Depending on the animal, they are generally easy to spot... It seems one infection takes hold, animals no longer hide or are compelled to live by the laws of hunter and prey. Animals aren't prone to intelligence, so while still being unpredictable, don't seem to have any extra ability beyond what they had as a living creature. Depending on their state of body after attack and infection, they may not be equipped to move or attack. Semi-easily taken down.

Strengths: Unlimited endurance is problematic when facing a predatory infected that has no incapacitating injuries. One or two reports suggests that after repeated stress to an infected animals body, they might produce a mutation, as to what exactly happens is unsure... But according to a hidden report recovered from the South African quarantine zone;[ It was observed that after repeated attack upon the lion's right claw, an almost instant mutation occurred when the creature's tissue repaired itself and the lion's claw seemed to extend making it's attack much deadlier than they already were... ]

Additional Info: As stated earlier, infected animals cannot infect humans, so if a survivor should find themselves injured by a hostile infected animals, they can rest easy knowing they won't become a zombie...provided they survive the mauling.

Screamers

Biography: Screamers are horrific undead for the unlucky survivor to encounter. Only coming out at sunset, they hunt in the darkness and move about the shadows of the night until the sun comes up. The infection when it took hold in these unfortunate beings contorted their body horrifically. The unfortunate human to have succumbed to this form of infection lived their last few hours in pain and agony as the infection caused their limbs to extend and grow painfully fast. Their eyes have become adapted to darkness and their sight is impeccable at night. They have long gaunt like limbs that end in jagged nails. Screamers are named so because of their defining feature that makes their entire demeanor utterly terrifying; they emit a high-pitched guttural scream that is almost incapacitating if a survivor finds themselves close enough.

Weaknesses: Screamers have incredibly frail bodies. The infection may have turned them into 7" giants, but the rate in which their body has evolved, coupled with the frailty of the gaunt body has made them easy enough targets to take down if you can catch them before they catch you, although you might still have a fighting chance if a Screamer pins you down as their actual physical attacks are about as effective as a small child's attacks. Screamer's can't handle direct light of any kind to their eyes.

Strengths: Screamers alone are enough to freeze an unwitting survivor in submission, but should the survivor have enough balls and bravado to fight one, they better look out... Screamers are known to howl and roar an almost unnatural scream that can incapacitate it's victims. They are incredibly fast, so although they hit weakly, they can hit fast. Screamers attract shamblers and runners in the nearby vicinity.

Additional Info: Screamers are found across Area 1 and 2 of the American Quarantine zone. They only come out at night, but if a building is dark enough during the day, they will move about it freely.

as a suggestion perhaps we could involve animals as infected classifications? i would create a full bio but i may as well run the idea past you..... oh no its chippy the undead squirrel