Zombification

This article details Zombification, or mobile decomposition is a particular form of degradation a body under goes if it undergoes zombism. For the general phenomenon, see Zombism 
The process of zombification is a body comprised of a deceased lifeform that has subsequently reanimated, in some cases because of a viral infection incurred in the brain while the body was still living, in other cases the process is perfectly natural.
== Attributes ==
Zombification entails many differences when compared to their living counterparts.
=== Speed ===
Zombification reduces speed of movement relative to their living analogues (however, some zombies can move as fast as a healthy living specimen, or even faster). Due to their decaying muscles (leading to slow movement) or adrenaline (leading to quick movements).
=== Endurance ===
Zombification increases endurance relative to the living; some sources attribute this to removal of normal neurological limits to muscle endurance. This could also mean their inability to feel pain at times, as they are not affected by nerves.
Extreme resistance or immunity to traumatic injury of any part of the body except for the brain. This is mainly due to the death of their nerves which makes them unable to experience pain or irritation.
Vulnerable only to attacks that remove the head or destroy the brain. Some zombies are depicted to also be vulnerable to powerful attacks (crushing of the body, high-caliber shot) which also kills them outright, but the simplest way, still, is to destroy the brain.
=== Cognition ===
Absent among Dalmer zombies, sometimes the case for the other races, zombification profoundly reduces or removes cognitive functions.
Wild zombies may have impaired eyesight, hearing or smell. However, they are known to be attracted by bright lights or loud noises, possibly meaning that they may instead be highly sensitive to them. Some even believe that zombies are attracted to the anything that makes noise.
=== Hunger ===
An insatiable and endless desire to consume living animal flesh, usually through cannibalism, sometimes favoring brains.
In some scenarios, wild zombies have been observed eating each other if there is a lack of humans. They will stop eating each other if a living analogue is nearby.
== Decomposition ==
While zombies are a continuation of a natural life cycle, they are not impervious to the laws of nature. 
All dead organisms decompose and zombies are no exception. It is supposed that the loss of animi in an organism actually makes the bacteria and other organisms in the process of decomposition instinctively 'flee' from the zombie, making its decomposition rate extremely slow.
What the process of decomposition means is that over the course of zombification, the undead will ultimately fall to rot, although it takes years for zombies to 'die' by decomposition.
As is well known, zombies are reanimated life forms. Their bodies are thus prone to the same damage and decomposition than any cadaver. Five general stages are used to describe the process of decomposition: Fresh, Bloat, Putrefaction, Advanced decay and Dry/Remains
Decomposition comes with two chemical stages, autolysis and putrefaction.
=== Stages ===
Fresh
Bloat
Putrefaction
Advanced decay
Dry/Remains
=== Fresh ===
Upon death; several events occur the heart stops pumping blood, within 3-6 hours of death rigor mortis sets in, causing muscles to stiffen. Causing a zombie's gait to be characterized by a stiff shuffle. Once the heart stops, immediate chemical changes occur in the body. 
Cells lose integrity, releasing enzymes that attack tissues around it, blistering the skin
=== Bloat ===
Bloating corresponds to the acceleration of the buildup of gasses inside the body of the zombie. This is when the zombie is at its most infectious and dangerous as liquids are forced out of the zombies natural and artificial orifices. This is why Dalmer zombies are injected with a coagulant agent which hardens these liquids, minimizing this problem. Wild zombies have no issue with spitting these fluids at their enemies. 
=== Putrefaction ===
Within 48 hours, putrefaction sets in. The zombie becomes pale and exposed veins are visible under the skin. Putrefaction is what zombies must stave off in order to avoid complete degradation. Putrefaction corresponds to the rapid loss of body mass. Fat, organs and muscles are all targeted, the skin darkens and begins to peel off. The liquids that an untreated zombie contains are now at toxic levels, enough to kill vegetation and poison most animal species. The environment can accelerate or decelerate this process.
=== Advanced decay ===
If untreated, within 5 to 11 years at the most of reanimation a zombie will likely no longer be mobile and almost certainly incapable of any sort of aggressive physical behavior. At this point the only dangerous thing about a zombie would be if a survivor absent-mindedly walked into one.
At this point activity around the corpse subsides. For all intents and purposes the zombie is no longer a threat whatsoever and is almost certainly no longer active.
=== Dry Remains/ Skeletification ===
Within 11 to 16 years the zombie will be no more than a skeleton with traces of skin, a natural process of Skeletification
Category:Pages with red links
Category:Undead
Category:Zombies