Necrosapient

The Infected are metahumans transformed by one of the many Awakened retroviruses of the Group XIII genus ghilani; popularly referred to as the Human-Metahuman Vampiric Virus (HMHVV). Presumably, these viruses had lain mostly dormant since the last age of magic, with early expressions possibly providing evidence for legends of cannibalistic werewolves, vampires, and other strange transformations. Afflicted metahumans display paranormal powers and appetites that resemble legendary monsters from around the globe. They are not, as commonly thought, the “living dead” or animated corpses. Science and thaumaturgy have proved that these post-(meta)humans are biologically alive and generally sapient, though the psychological trauma and brain damage that sometimes accompanies the change can cause them to revert to a feral state.
There is not one species of HMHVV but a multitude of closely-related and mutating species, each of which may afflict a different metatype (or even some non-metahuman primates, such as sasquatches). Like other retroviruses, each species of HMHVV transcribes its RNA into DNA, which is integrated into the host’s genome—unlike other retroviruses, this apparently triggers multiple Awakened genetic structures resulting in a rapid bodily transformation reminiscent of Goblinization.