Infected

The Infected are a species lingering from another universe, pulled in through the Godseye. Not much is known about them, and they were immediately modified as weapons by outer rim scientists. Infected are born with an incurable, highly contagious, and lethal disease. Each disease is specific to its host and highly adaptive. The Infected combat their nature by living in small communes, living from birth to death in hazard suits, and training every day to control their plagues. When the EUS descended onto their world, the Infected saw the portal of the Godseye as their only option left. For life on their planet was ending, and zendikite a new beginning. The Infected reflect personal responsibility, dependence on community, and the importance of life.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Underneath an infected's full body suit, they look just like humans do, often with marks and scars from outbreaks of their disease.

Genetics and Reproduction

Infected reproduction is done primarily by mechanical means, as two infected with differing diseases could end up killing each other through outbreak. Sex in general, is something an Infected never experiences.

Ecology and Habitats

Infected live in Communes, generally separate from society. Leaving the commune demands double-checking their body suit to avoid contaminating the outside world.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Infected have the exact same dietary needs as humans, though they all have a passing knowledge of pharmaceuticals and pain tolerance techniques. Almost every infected is a master of meditation at a young age.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Infected are wracked with pain from an early age, after puberty most manage to become highly resistant to all forms of pain, and immune to disease.

Infected Employment:

The Infected are constantly looking for tech to aid in control of the Infection, or give them complete mastery. Their cultural reasoning is simple, if a God from their universes power let them control their disease, that which created the Godseye should allow them to do so again. As such, they are regularly hired by the Reach for explorations, digs, and vault hunting. However, the bulk of the Infected economy is based almost entirely off donations to the Hospitallers, stipends from the EUS and SDA, and pay to the Travelers. Goods are made among the Infected, but due to the nature of their affliction, only other Infected will trade with them for such goods. Occasionally an Infected Warrior will sign on as a mercenary, though this is a difficult line to cross considering it means marketing and actively spreading the infection. The law of Quarantine, held in the highest importance as a cultural imperative, forces the infected to become a universal pariah, not only hated and suspect to all other biological cultures and races, but also to the rest of their own race.

Roleplaying an Infected:

The Infected tend to mind their own business, and try not to get too involved in global politics, though it is has happened. The Infected view the Quarantine as vital, and will react harshly to those who threaten that goal. Most infected choose a caste which they fill the role of within the quarantine, and bring that casts mentalities into their travels and interactions within organized external society. The Growers ensure that food is kept on the plate for each commune. With self-control stronger than any of their peers, the Growers raise livestock and harvest with nary an Infection spread. They are often the most jovial of the Infected, and are likely the cause of every holiday and celebration the Infected observe. The Hospitallers are the healers who travel beyond the commune. Often setting up shop in foreign cities, they offer free healthcare to those who wish it. They garner as much knowledge as they can during their tenures, before returning to their home commune, and informing the Librarians of all they learned. The Travelers are what makes the Infected a full race, instead of a series of mutated groups. They travel from commune to commune, planet to planet, sharing information and keeping diplomacy strong between communes. The Warriors are the defenders of the communes, exhibiting excellent mastery of their gift, they hearken back to the plague casters of old. They also serve to hunt down criminals among the Infected, as well as the most grievous violators of the Quarantine. The Librarians are the largest source of knowledge among the Infected, and keep extensive records of Infections, healing methods, maps, stocks, and battle plans from all the other departments.

Infected in Private:

Infected will only disrobe or remove their quarantine when ready to do battle, or when in private. An infected will take advantage of privacy, if not prefer it entirely, as it is the only time they may move freely about their dwelling. Infected rarely have locks on anything they own, as the populace is not foolish enough to enter a dwelling where the thick cloying scent of decay and death is a visible gas which can be breathed. Indeed, the few foolish thieves who have targeted infected have all been caught, dead and decayed by the time the Infected returned home. For this reason, they have a massive dislike of the Daemonic, who are constantly curious about the quarantine. Infected look remarkably like Gians, with a few major exceptions. Each Infected has a mark on their forehead from birth, relevant to their specific Infection. Additionally, dark streaks mar any section of their body where their plague might flow. Common places include the eyes, the ears, the nose, the mouth, the palms, and the fingers.

Scientific Name

Homo Sapiens Virulae

Origin/Ancestry

Humans

Infected in Public:

The infected wear body covering shrouds always, to protect others from physical infection. They normally keep a large breadth from anyone except those in their group, and even then, refuse to make skin to skin contact unless in a life or death situation. All infected have the right to begin the game with a full body quarantine garb which covers everything except the eyes. The infected have grown up in this lifestyle, and are not troubled by it, but secure in the fact that they can go about a normal life, excepting social stigma, and perform normal tasks so long as they do not lose mental or soul based control over themselves. Rarely do people know what an infected look like, and their public image is largely regarded as a fully wrapped body with only eyes visible.