Sonohoka Syndrome

Transmission & Vectors

The infection is spread through the blood borne route. This means that the infection is most often spread by a zombie biting an uninfected person. However, it can spread in other ways. Puncture wounds from contaminated needles, broken glass, or other sharps. Contact between broken or damaged skin and infected body fluids. Contact between mucous membranes and infected body fluids. It can even spread when a zombie scratches an uninfected person since they are in frequent contact with their own infected body fluids.

Causes

The infection is caused by the Sonohoka virus. There are 4 identified strains of the virus, but it is believed that there are numerous others.

Treatment

There is no known cure or vaccine. The infected are either killed out right or are isolated until it is determined that they have converted at which time they are then killed.

Prognosis

Standard Ultramodern Rules

If someone is bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed to the body fluids of a zombie, they will have a chance of becoming infected by the virus. If they are at 50% or more of their life total (after the damage of the attack is applied) they make a Con save DC 10. If they are less then 50% of their life total (after the damage of the attack is applied) they make a Con save DC 10 with disadvantage.

Ultramax Rules

If someone is bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed to the body fluids of a zombie, they will have a chance of becoming infected by the virus. If they have light or no wounds, they roll Con save DC 10. For each wound tier above light, they gain disadvantange on the Con roll. (Reminder: gaining multiple instances of the same condition can now compound.)

Resolving the Con Save

Sucess means that they do not get the infection. Failure on this check means that regardless of how much damage they took, they will progress through the stages of the disease as described below.

Day 0.

On the day of exposure, the person does not yet experience any symptoms.

Day 1.

At the start of the day, fatigue and body aches are the first symptoms to settle in. They gain 1 level of exhaustion.

Day 2.

At the start of the day, the fatigue and body ache worsens. They gain 1 level of exhaustion.

Day 3.

At the start of the day, the fatigue and body ache worsens. They gain 1 level of exhaustion. Additionally, the manifestations of the mutations begin. Roll for mutations as in the side panel. The character manifests the beginning of that mutation. At this stage, they could reasonably hide the mutation.

Day 4.

At the start of the day, the fatigue and body ache worsens. They gain 1 level of exhaustion. The mutations continue to progress, becoming more apparent. At this stage it would be difficult to hide the mutation. At the end of the day, they roll a Con Save DC 15. Failing this save means they continue to progress through the stages of infection as described below. If they pass the save, then their immune system was able to fight off the virus and they have no further progression through the stages of infection. However, they are now an Other. The mutations that have manifested are a perment part of their biology.

Day 5.

At the start of the day, the fatigue and body ache worsens. They gain 1 level of exhaustion. The mutations fully manifest. They can no longer reasonably hide their mutation. At the end of the day, they roll a Con Save DC 15. Failing this save means they continue to progress through the stages of infection as described below. If they pass the save, then their immune system was able to fight off the virus and they have no further progression through the stages of infection. However, they are now an Other. The mutations that have manifested are a perment part of their biology.

Day 6.

At the start of the day, the fatigue and body ache becomes completely crippling. They roll a Con Save DC 15. Failing this save means they succumb to the infection and become a Zombie. They loose all levels of fatigue as the infection has run its course. They become an NPC. If they pass the save, then their immune system was able to fight off the virus and they have no further progression through the stages of infection. However, they are now an Other. The mutations that have manifested are a perment part of their biology.

Affected Groups

Sonohoka Syndrome in indiscriminate, effecting all groups of people fairly equally. Those with other illnesses are more likely to die from the infection rather then convert to a zombie, but that has become a rather uncommon occurrance.

Hosts & Carriers

Every human alive is a carrier of Strain A. Every child born is exposed to the virus in their mother's womb, giving them a chance to become an Other. All four strains are known to be carried by numerous animal species.

Prevention

The best protection is to avoid the proximity of zombies. When this is not possible, it is best to avoid contact with their body fluids. This is usually done by wearing heavy clothing that is bite and scratch resistant. Ensuring that all of the skin is covered is essential.

History

The first documented outbreak was in Seattle Washington. It hit the city hard and cases spread through the population fast. Patient zero was never discovered. During this first epidemic wave, much of Seattle's population died. Those who survived the infection where mutated and ravenous. The city was not prepared for the victims of the virus to begin attacking those around them. It was estimated that 75% of the city's population died during the events of the Fall. Seattle's once robust population of 3.5 million was reduced to somewhere around 900,000. It was not long before the disease began to spread to other cities and eventually throughout the world. The virus followed much the same pattern where ever it spread. The original strain (strain A) caused the first outbreak. This disease caused rapid tissue growth as well as tissue necrosis. In the final stages of the disease, the person fully converted to what has come to be known as a zombie. They had rudimentary intelligence, like that of a feral animal. They could figure out simple problems and use basic tools. They would gather into groups as if drawn to each other. They protected one another. Survivors have developed immunity to Strain A in so far as they no longer become sick by it and no longer convert to a zombie from this strain. This immunity does nothing to protect them from the other strains of the virus. It is believed that everyone alive is now a carrier of strain A. It is also believed that it is the cause of those born as Others and is the source of Vigor. Before the infrastructure fell, scientists were able to identify two other strains of the virus. These were dubbed strain B and C. Camp Hope has since identified a fourth strain which has been labeled strain D. The majority of those infected with strain B, C and D convert into zombies. However, there are the rare few who (5%) become Others. The virus mutates them but they do not fall into zombie status.

Cultural Reception

Those who have survived the infection and not become zombies are not left uneffected. They are forever changed by the effects of the virus. They are known as Others. Since the only difference between the Others and the zombies is their mental capacity there are those that claim the Other pose too much risk. They are feared and often hunted. But not everyone sees the Others this way. There are those that see them as survivors and treat them like every other human. But even in the groups that they are considered human, they are generally not well regarded. People generally don't know how to feel about the Others. They are living reminders of everything that there is to be afraid of.