a place to discuss the state of the world, visitable places for our characters, the state of society, other survivor groups, and how zombies work
So a few questions to start with since I’ve now read the IC threads. 
. Please correct me if I’m wrong about anything.
The starting point:
It seems that the event, I’m going to call it The Apocalyse, that originated in the “creation” of the Husks happened at least more than a year ago, but less than six, possibly five. From what I’ve read of the other characters prospective it’s most likely been at least two to three or four years. So enough time that a large number of the human population has been decimated from the original cause and Mother Nature has taken over cities, and rural areas as it has been described; cracked roads, grass and trees, other plants overgrown in towns, cities, buildings, some wild life free in urban centers. Some areas and homes have been emptied of essentials making scavenging and raiding/finding needed items more difficult or resources to possibly barter of fight over.
Husks:
We don’t yet know what original created them. Was it airborne, a virus (some kind of chemical engenieered virus created as a weapon or experiment gone wrong, I’m no scientist, LOL), some sort of horrible mutation due to climate change, etc.
Even though never directly infected all the current living populations have survived some form of first exposure, yes?
From Spencer’s, Maggie’s entries and Camila”s entries it seems some people have contracted the virus, perhaps from the first exposure, or being bitten, so blood contamination with direct contact with the virus? Is this correct?
Survivors of direct Infection; heightened sense of hearing, smell, but suffering from direct exposure to sunlight (at least some sensitivity) sensitivity to certain pitch of noise. Did I miss something?
No known cure at this point except perhaps a select few humans and most likely animals with genes to resist the virus or a mutation and adaptation possibility like Spencer. Darcy had to amputate her hand?
. Please correct me if I’m wrong about anything.The starting point:
It seems that the event, I’m going to call it The Apocalyse, that originated in the “creation” of the Husks happened at least more than a year ago, but less than six, possibly five. From what I’ve read of the other characters prospective it’s most likely been at least two to three or four years. So enough time that a large number of the human population has been decimated from the original cause and Mother Nature has taken over cities, and rural areas as it has been described; cracked roads, grass and trees, other plants overgrown in towns, cities, buildings, some wild life free in urban centers. Some areas and homes have been emptied of essentials making scavenging and raiding/finding needed items more difficult or resources to possibly barter of fight over.
Husks:
We don’t yet know what original created them. Was it airborne, a virus (some kind of chemical engenieered virus created as a weapon or experiment gone wrong, I’m no scientist, LOL), some sort of horrible mutation due to climate change, etc.
Even though never directly infected all the current living populations have survived some form of first exposure, yes?
From Spencer’s, Maggie’s entries and Camila”s entries it seems some people have contracted the virus, perhaps from the first exposure, or being bitten, so blood contamination with direct contact with the virus? Is this correct?
Survivors of direct Infection; heightened sense of hearing, smell, but suffering from direct exposure to sunlight (at least some sensitivity) sensitivity to certain pitch of noise. Did I miss something?
No known cure at this point except perhaps a select few humans and most likely animals with genes to resist the virus or a mutation and adaptation possibility like Spencer. Darcy had to amputate her hand?
The Infection -
The virus had several tell-tale symptoms: a relentless fever, nausea, migraines, a decline in eyesight, itching and burning of the eyes, strange bruises from blood vessels spontaneously bursting, blood from the ears and eyes.
There were a few who fought off the fever and recovered. There were those who never fell sick at all. And there were those who caught the virus and never lost it.
These "zombies" are referred to as Husks, thanks to their dead eyes and emaciated figures. The majority of Husks shamble around with sightless eyes, either rotted in their sockets or completely fallen out. Their flesh is sickly and forever feverish, brains diseased from the inside out, relying on their sense of smell and hearing to seek out prey -- and relying on their numbers and ferocity to overwhelm their opponents.
There are a few mutations within the larger group of Husks, not all of which have been seen or studied. Some are unnatural fast, bodies mutated beyond the usual changes -- some travel alone and are unexpectedly clever, hunting with intelligence. Still others lurk, unknown and unnamed.
In answer to your questions, as best I can -
There is no defined survivor's adaptions if any, Spencer's adaptions are unique (at the moment) to spencer but the concept I believe is loosely that some became infected, others recovered like getting the haemorrhagic fever and coming back from it no longer sick but they were normal after , some were immune to the first round and most became husks. Spencer is technically still infected, but has mutated the virus which has created his unique circumstance. No grantee that everyone was exposed to the first outbreak meaning some could be susceptible to a second ?!
No known cause - perhaps something the group find out later down the line.
Timeframe is loose at least a year but might be more.
No known cure
Currently a lot around the virus itself is loose, more of a no one knows than a defined infection spread, but contact with Husks is the risk.
The virus had several tell-tale symptoms: a relentless fever, nausea, migraines, a decline in eyesight, itching and burning of the eyes, strange bruises from blood vessels spontaneously bursting, blood from the ears and eyes.
There were a few who fought off the fever and recovered. There were those who never fell sick at all. And there were those who caught the virus and never lost it.
These "zombies" are referred to as Husks, thanks to their dead eyes and emaciated figures. The majority of Husks shamble around with sightless eyes, either rotted in their sockets or completely fallen out. Their flesh is sickly and forever feverish, brains diseased from the inside out, relying on their sense of smell and hearing to seek out prey -- and relying on their numbers and ferocity to overwhelm their opponents.
There are a few mutations within the larger group of Husks, not all of which have been seen or studied. Some are unnatural fast, bodies mutated beyond the usual changes -- some travel alone and are unexpectedly clever, hunting with intelligence. Still others lurk, unknown and unnamed.
In answer to your questions, as best I can -
There is no defined survivor's adaptions if any, Spencer's adaptions are unique (at the moment) to spencer but the concept I believe is loosely that some became infected, others recovered like getting the haemorrhagic fever and coming back from it no longer sick but they were normal after , some were immune to the first round and most became husks. Spencer is technically still infected, but has mutated the virus which has created his unique circumstance. No grantee that everyone was exposed to the first outbreak meaning some could be susceptible to a second ?!
No known cause - perhaps something the group find out later down the line.
Timeframe is loose at least a year but might be more.
No known cure
Currently a lot around the virus itself is loose, more of a no one knows than a defined infection spread, but contact with Husks is the risk.
To our admin - I wanted to ask you if you want it to have been a year and a half since the apocalypse started? It would be nice if it still felt relatively new for everyone, learning about the husks together, figuring out how to navigate it all, rather than it having been going on for a long time, with most of the zombie mutations already known to the survivors?
Vladimir Volkov wrote:
To our admin - I wanted to ask you if you want it to have been a year and a half since the apocalypse started? It would be nice if it still felt relatively new for everyone, learning about the husks together, figuring out how to navigate it all, rather than it having been going on for a long time, with most of the zombie mutations already known to the survivors?
Seconded!
Also, again I have no science or medical background, but I wondered if a secondary plot introduced later on but hinted at would interest people, especially our medical/science inclined characters that a military or paramilitary group would round up/kidnap characters with science or medical backgrounds to get them to work on vaccines, that untested might require to have the use of unwilling subjects. Results could be a mixed bag of 50% death rate to virus exposure. Survival could have mutations like enhanced hearing and smell, but overall decreased normal life expectancy of thirty to forty once of the vaccine administered, but lead to complete immunity to the first form of the virus and bites or cuts from Husks, though of course lost of limb or other sever attacks from Husks would of course lead to death though not turning into a Husk afterwards.
If accepted this would lead to the introduction of Coli’s brother Aidan later on.
Added: @Camila, thank you ❤️
Vladimir Volkov wrote:
To our admin - I wanted to ask you if you want it to have been a year and a half since the apocalypse started? It would be nice if it still felt relatively new for everyone, learning about the husks together, figuring out how to navigate it all, rather than it having been going on for a long time, with most of the zombie mutations already known to the survivors?
Colibri Anne Dawson wrote:
Also, again I have no science or medical background, but I wondered if a secondary plot introduced later on but hinted at would interest people, especially our medical/science inclined characters that a military or paramilitary group would round up/kidnap characters with science or medical backgrounds to get them to work on vaccines, that untested might require to have the use of unwilling subjects. Results could be a mixed bag of 50% death rate to virus exposure. Survival could have mutations like enhanced hearing and smell, but overall decreased normal life expectancy of thirty to forty once of the vaccine administered, but lead to complete immunity to the first form of the virus and bites or cuts from Husks, though of course lost of limb or other sever attacks from Husks would of course lead to death though not turning into a Husk afterwards.
If accepted this would lead to the introduction of Coli’s brother Aidan later on.
If accepted this would lead to the introduction of Coli’s brother Aidan later on.
The Apocalypse wrote:
Vladimir Volkov wrote:
To our admin - I wanted to ask you if you want it to have been a year and a half since the apocalypse started? It would be nice if it still felt relatively new for everyone, learning about the husks together, figuring out how to navigate it all, rather than it having been going on for a long time, with most of the zombie mutations already known to the survivors?
Colibri Anne Dawson wrote:
Also, again I have no science or medical background, but I wondered if a secondary plot introduced later on but hinted at would interest people, especially our medical/science inclined characters that a military or paramilitary group would round up/kidnap characters with science or medical backgrounds to get them to work on vaccines, that untested might require to have the use of unwilling subjects. Results could be a mixed bag of 50% death rate to virus exposure. Survival could have mutations like enhanced hearing and smell, but overall decreased normal life expectancy of thirty to forty once of the vaccine administered, but lead to complete immunity to the first form of the virus and bites or cuts from Husks, though of course lost of limb or other sever attacks from Husks would of course lead to death though not turning into a Husk afterwards.
If accepted this would lead to the introduction of Coli’s brother Aidan later on.
If accepted this would lead to the introduction of Coli’s brother Aidan later on.
The time frame works well for me for Coli so, yes here! 👍
Thanks and yes, I would love to bring Aidan in, but only after Coli has time to settle in.
Year and a half works perfectly and seems to fit what most people have written so far.
Colibri Anne Dawson wrote:
Husks:
We don’t yet know what original created them. Was it airborne, a virus (some kind of chemical engenieered virus created as a weapon or experiment gone wrong, I’m no scientist, LOL), some sort of horrible mutation due to climate change, etc.
Even though never directly infected all the current living populations have survived some form of first exposure, yes?
From Spencer’s, Maggie’s entries and Camila”s entries it seems some people have contracted the virus, perhaps from the first exposure, or being bitten, so blood contamination with direct contact with the virus? Is this correct?
Survivors of direct Infection; heightened sense of hearing, smell, but suffering from direct exposure to sunlight (at least some sensitivity) sensitivity to certain pitch of noise. Did I miss something?
No known cure at this point except perhaps a select few humans and most likely animals with genes to resist the virus or a mutation and adaptation possibility like Spencer. Darcy had to amputate her hand?
We don’t yet know what original created them. Was it airborne, a virus (some kind of chemical engenieered virus created as a weapon or experiment gone wrong, I’m no scientist, LOL), some sort of horrible mutation due to climate change, etc.
Even though never directly infected all the current living populations have survived some form of first exposure, yes?
From Spencer’s, Maggie’s entries and Camila”s entries it seems some people have contracted the virus, perhaps from the first exposure, or being bitten, so blood contamination with direct contact with the virus? Is this correct?
Survivors of direct Infection; heightened sense of hearing, smell, but suffering from direct exposure to sunlight (at least some sensitivity) sensitivity to certain pitch of noise. Did I miss something?
No known cure at this point except perhaps a select few humans and most likely animals with genes to resist the virus or a mutation and adaptation possibility like Spencer. Darcy had to amputate her hand?
Camila Linares wrote:
In answer to your questions, as best I can -
There is no defined survivor's adaptions if any, Spencer's adaptions are unique (at the moment) to spencer but the concept I believe is loosely that some became infected, others recovered like getting the haemorrhagic fever and coming back from it no longer sick but they were normal after , some were immune to the first round and most became husks. Spencer is technically still infected, but has mutated the virus which has created his unique circumstance. No grantee that everyone was exposed to the first outbreak meaning some could be susceptible to a second ?!
No known cause - perhaps something the group find out later down the line.
Timeframe is loose at least a year but might be more.
No known cure
Currently a lot around the virus itself is loose, more of a no one knows than a defined infection spread, but contact with Husks is the risk.
There is no defined survivor's adaptions if any, Spencer's adaptions are unique (at the moment) to spencer but the concept I believe is loosely that some became infected, others recovered like getting the haemorrhagic fever and coming back from it no longer sick but they were normal after , some were immune to the first round and most became husks. Spencer is technically still infected, but has mutated the virus which has created his unique circumstance. No grantee that everyone was exposed to the first outbreak meaning some could be susceptible to a second ?!
No known cause - perhaps something the group find out later down the line.
Timeframe is loose at least a year but might be more.
No known cure
Currently a lot around the virus itself is loose, more of a no one knows than a defined infection spread, but contact with Husks is the risk.
Cam summed it up pretty well!! That's pretty much what I had in mind, no known cure and an unspecified cause... partially because I didn't have any concrete ideas when I started the group lol and partially because I wanted everyone to be free to submit their own ideas. I also really liked the idea of there being multiple kinds of "zombies" -- for example the typical Husks, which I was assume were the majority of zombies... but I wanted to leave it open for maybe a scarier/deadlier mutation of Husks, or even cases like Spencer's, where he's not entirely human but not entirely zombie either (or, in a similar vein, cases of people who had the virus and "recovered", but were altered some way or another).
And yeah, no guarantee everyone who's not currently zombified is immune; I imagined the original outbreak was contagious during fever, like a lot of viruses, and there were definitely people who didn't catch it/were immune/caught it but beat it... I hadn't really decided how it would be contagious to someone who didn't catch it/caught it but got better a second time around. Probably normal exposure for the second, and direct contact with blood for the second (but could also work with the first)?
I agree with the year and a half timeline!
Regarding the outbreak I definitely like the idea of it initially being a genetic crapshoot of getting the virus: then having a fever and getting better, just dying, becoming a husk, being just naturally immune and then the more unique (Spencer) cases. The bites, if you survive the almost guaranteed infection by all the other festering bacteria in its mouth, could contain a viral load intense enough to cause anaphylaxis and continue the husk cycle or further infections could just not be a threat anymore? I'm cool with either scenarios!
Also for clarity @Colibri Darcy lost her hand due to an injury from a plane crash, not infection related!
Regarding the outbreak I definitely like the idea of it initially being a genetic crapshoot of getting the virus: then having a fever and getting better, just dying, becoming a husk, being just naturally immune and then the more unique (Spencer) cases. The bites, if you survive the almost guaranteed infection by all the other festering bacteria in its mouth, could contain a viral load intense enough to cause anaphylaxis and continue the husk cycle or further infections could just not be a threat anymore? I'm cool with either scenarios!
Also for clarity @Colibri Darcy lost her hand due to an injury from a plane crash, not infection related!
@Darcy, thank you for the clarification.
The Apocalypse wrote:
Vladimir Volkov wrote:
To our admin - I wanted to ask you if you want it to have been a year and a half since the apocalypse started? It would be nice if it still felt relatively new for everyone, learning about the husks together, figuring out how to navigate it all, rather than it having been going on for a long time, with most of the zombie mutations already known to the survivors?
Colibri Anne Dawson wrote:
Also, again I have no science or medical background, but I wondered if a secondary plot introduced later on but hinted at would interest people, especially our medical/science inclined characters that a military or paramilitary group would round up/kidnap characters with science or medical backgrounds to get them to work on vaccines, that untested might require to have the use of unwilling subjects. Results could be a mixed bag of 50% death rate to virus exposure. Survival could have mutations like enhanced hearing and smell, but overall decreased normal life expectancy of thirty to forty once of the vaccine administered, but lead to complete immunity to the first form of the virus and bites or cuts from Husks, though of course lost of limb or other sever attacks from Husks would of course lead to death though not turning into a Husk afterwards.
If accepted this would lead to the introduction of Coli’s brother Aidan later on.
If accepted this would lead to the introduction of Coli’s brother Aidan later on.
Thinking about a potential cure or vaccine is inevitable in an RP like this. But considering that everything has basically just started, I think a lot of time will pass before our characters even hear rumors of a vaccine being developed somewhere, possibly years, in my opinion. That kind of progress would require a lot of scientists working together, massive resources, advanced technology, proper infrastructure and proper facilities. Some scientists would have died, others turned into husks, and many would be scattered. The world would be in chaos for a while until humanity begins to adapt to the new way of life and starts focusing on something beyond pure survival. It’ll be a long process, but inevitably, we’ll get there. Realistically, it’s going to take a lot of time both IC and OOC, in my opinion. Most groups tend to become inactive after a while tho.
I can only speak from my character’s point of view, but his first instinct would definitely be to find a way to stop all of this. Still, it’s too early in the story for him to start seeking out contacts who might know whether something is being worked on.
That said, I’m sure we’ll find a way to bring your character’s brother into the RP. If you can share some information about him, like where he might be and what he’d be doing, we can brainstorm something fun together.
Oh absolutely! And again the idea is very rough and something for long term if we want to use it which could potentially involve a number of characters if we want with a type of idea where some kind of organization is trying to recruit or kidnap people with a scientific, medical background.
Could Adrian also be the armor? He fixes everyone's firearms given his time in the Marine Corps.
Not sure where it could fit in, but Tess does have experience in vehicle repair. Also she would love to help in the infirmary
Adrian and Tess could be the ones who fix things.
I don't mind. But the way I see it that yeah. our characters will have a role, but they'll also help with other stuff they're good at. So, people asking them to fix things could be their thing. Let's see what our admin has to say )
)
Yes, I second what Vlad said! Pretty much I wanted there to be some "main" jobs/roles that various characters could be sorted into, to help establish some order and make sure they always have something to fall back on... but they're not absolute, it's not like a guard can ONLY guard lolol. So of course there's plenty of room for individual characters to use their specific skills wherever they're needed!
Essentially, the roles I originally listed are things that are going to be needed constantly/near-constantly. Guards for patrolling/assisting supply runners, supply runners to make sure the group always has equipment/supplies, medics to keep everyone healthy and patch up the injured and check newcomers, scouts to give an advanced warning for incoming Husks/bandits and finding routes/targets for supply runs, etc. etc.
Your character can have any secondary role(s) you want, so yeah, Adrian can absolutely help maintain and fix any broken weaponry, and I imagine Tess and Cam can both help if the group gets more vehicles or fixes up the old ones currently on the Farm, and even if your character doesn't have a specific skillset like that, they can absolutely help out with other roles (like Coli helping out Darcy/Spencer if there's multiple injuries or they want a hand organizing supplies during down time, etc.)
Hope that makes sense lol 🖤
Essentially, the roles I originally listed are things that are going to be needed constantly/near-constantly. Guards for patrolling/assisting supply runners, supply runners to make sure the group always has equipment/supplies, medics to keep everyone healthy and patch up the injured and check newcomers, scouts to give an advanced warning for incoming Husks/bandits and finding routes/targets for supply runs, etc. etc.
Your character can have any secondary role(s) you want, so yeah, Adrian can absolutely help maintain and fix any broken weaponry, and I imagine Tess and Cam can both help if the group gets more vehicles or fixes up the old ones currently on the Farm, and even if your character doesn't have a specific skillset like that, they can absolutely help out with other roles (like Coli helping out Darcy/Spencer if there's multiple injuries or they want a hand organizing supplies during down time, etc.)
Hope that makes sense lol 🖤
I would like to add my two cents as well regarding the above topic! I definitely agree with Vlad and Apocalypse. Of course, every one of our OCs is multifaceted and capable of completing all sorts of things outside their role (and should!), I also think, especially in a larger group dynamic, that we should also be particularly mindful of assigned roles in a way that let's everyone's character design shine. Maybe by letting specific characters lead scenes in which they are specialized in? Or at least consulting/inviting them ahead of scene? For example, If Darcy got it in her head that she really wanted to help with hunting (for some reason). She could approach Camila and/or Colibri and ask if she could join in on the next hunt. As opposed to just randomly going hunting on her spare time and potentially overshadowing the narratives of the characters who were intentionally designed to take on that role.
Just my thoughts! (it's my first time doing a group rp so apologies if I'm way off base!!) Either way super excited for our story together!
Just my thoughts! (it's my first time doing a group rp so apologies if I'm way off base!!) Either way super excited for our story together!
Darcy wrote:
I would like to add my two cents as well regarding the above topic! I definitely agree with Vlad and Apocalypse. Of course, every one of our OCs is multifaceted and capable of completing all sorts of things outside their role (and should!), I also think, especially in a larger group dynamic, that we should also be particularly mindful of assigned roles in a way that let's everyone's character design shine. Maybe by letting specific characters lead scenes in which they are specialized in? Or at least consulting/inviting them ahead of scene? For example, If Darcy got it in her head that she really wanted to help with hunting (for some reason). She could approach Camila and/or Colibri and ask if she could join in on the next hunt. As opposed to just randomly going hunting on her spare time and potentially overshadowing the narratives of the characters who were intentionally designed to take on that role.
Just my thoughts! (it's my first time doing a group rp so apologies if I'm way off base!!) Either way super excited for our story together!
Just my thoughts! (it's my first time doing a group rp so apologies if I'm way off base!!) Either way super excited for our story together!
Yes, that's exactly my plan. I want everyone's characters to feel useful in not only one way and for them to matter for the group. For example, Vladimir will need to be patched up by your character after he returns(he got injured, if you're up for it), bringing the new people in. After a while, once we get some proper dynamic rolling, Vladimir will be bitten by a husk and fall very ill. Dean will take charge, while Vladimir recovers. I'm starting slowly, but once I know your characters properly (either from roleplaying with you, reading your posts or I hope you'd update me on things I'll need to know, because I won't have time to read everything) I'll have proper quests and tasks for everyone to contribute to the group. Of course, everyone is free to do what they want, I don't want anyone to feel limited, and some characters might be more rebellious than others, so I'd want for them to be able to play their characters as they wish. Of course, if someone whose job is not to go out scouting does this on their own, endangering themselves and the group, there will be consequences, just like if it was in real life, but that will bring out the fun in the RP. So yeah, while everyone has their roles, being rebellious or not wanting to listen to leadership is not forbidden. Fun comes from how different our characters are. We'll adapt and the most important thing - IC is not OOC. We do this so we can have fun.