Zombie

Zombies cannot reproduce. Some universes classify Zombies as an illness due to transmission being occasionally recorded between individuals, usually in those taking care of a zombified loved one dying in the process (whether from the zombie themself, stress, a heart attack, or other causes). In this case, many carriers of 'zombism' may not even realize they are zombies unless they run out of food. Early stages of a Zombie (see below) are often dismissed as a low mood or low blood sugar due to lacking food.   Unlike the Zombies of most popular culture, being bitten, having a limb torn off, or getting other injuries from a Zombie does not turn you into one as well. However, Zombie bites have a higher rate of bacterial infection and necrosis when compared to normal human bites, regardless of the immune system of the victim. Note that Zombies will only bite humans under extremely dire circumstances where no other food is available. Providing adequate food and resources to a Zombie is not difficult and helps prevent such circumstances.

Like the other Undeads, Zombies have five loose stages that they flip between based on their needs (see dietary needs and habits).

• Stage 1 - The Zombie appears no different from their human form. If anything, their skin or hair might become duller and some have parts of their bodies (such as brain or organs) easily exposed without harm. Zombies in Stage 1 have a decent pain tolerance and above-average hunger. They need a lot of food to maintain their body in any stage, but Stage 1 Zombies are only peckish at worst.
• Stage 2 - The Zombie begins warping in subtle ways, often called 'uncanny'. They may become taller, get longer limbs or fingers, have sunken eyes, etc. Their voice may sound scratchier or breathier.
• Stage 3 - Warping continues. Each Zombie has a different animal they loosely resemble when they warp, mixed with the human aspects. The Zombie lose their ability to speak coherently. They may make noises, syllables, or words, but it takes a lot of effort. The Zombie might seem distant or forgetful, especially when they lean towards stage 4. However, the brain is functional--the body's sense are what's becoming detached. Even if the generator is running, it's not ideal if nothing is connected to it.
• Stage 4 - Warping reaches its peak; Stage 4 Zombies are heavily animalistic in form and behavior (notably in skeletal and muscle structure. Hair, fur, feathers, or scales are not included). The Zombie cannot physically speak; any noises they make with their mouth resembles a death rattle or the noise of someone choking. A Stage 4 Zombie's pain tolerance is so high that they may not realize they are hungry, warped, or injured. Zombies in Stage 4 are legally blind and depend on other senses to move around.
• Stage 5 - The Zombie's body completely collapses except for the brain; everything is digested by the Zombie to support the brain. The order of collapse is generally hair, digits, limbs, facial features, muscles, organs, nerves, bones. Note that fat reserves and organs not related to the digestive system (except the lungs) are broken down by Stage 3 (fats) and 4 (organs).

Zombies have different nutritional and medical needs than humans. While the common idea is that zombies eat brains, they actually just need more fat, iron, albumins, globulins, clotting factors, and glucose, mostly to enrich their own brains and nervous systems. Zombies have a naturally high metabolic rate that is quick to eat away at their outer nerves and fat deposits if they run out of food.   With that being said, Zombies can also regrow their nervous systems and any lost limbs when brought back to normal conditions. The brain is of the upmost concern, so the Zombie can regenerate as long as even 1-5% of its brain remains and is held in solution akin to cerebral spinal fluid. Only one section of the brain will regrow into the zombie (therefore it cannot clone itself).   Animal brains and blood or red meat are superfoods for Zombies. Zombies can eat raw meat and not suffer any negative effects--in fact, it is thought the special microbiota found in Zombies is related to bacteria that cause food poisoning. Zombies are generally not allowed to work in the meat industry.   Zombies can get their nutritional needs from non-meat sources, so Zombies can be vegetarian if they focus on materials high in fat and iron and have some blood on the side. Being vegan is not impossible but not recommended for the majority of Zombies.

As mentioned in the Stages, each Zombie has an animal they resemble when they warp. The animal is random per Zombie, and the term 'animal' tends to refer to a clade or other organization rather than a particular species. No matter what animal the Zombie resembles, there are some standard rules:

• The Zombie is always omnivorous (even if the animal is a carnivore or herbivore specifically).
• The Zombie will not gain the ability of their animal to eat specialized food (like horses eating hay does not mean a Zombie resembling a horse will be able to)
• The Zombie is not genetically related to the animal.
• Zombies who are related do not inherently have the same animal / similar animals.
• No fur, feathers, scales, or horns are developed (or other external features that cannot be derived from warping the existing body)
• The Zombie retains their sentience, though their body becomes detached from their brain in the later stages.

Some people mistake Stage 3 or 4 Zombies for Lycanthropes / Werewolves / Werebeings.

Out of all the Undeads, Zombies are the most commonly mistaken for normal humans. In certain realms, this is a privilege. Many Zombies also don't know they are Zombies until they get to Stage 3, so curiously this makes known Zombies rare.   Zombies who refuse to accept their status as a Zombie tend to dislike other Undeads, but this mindset is only a section of the overall population.