Zombism in Welt

Zombism, known to the Dalmer as post mortem reanimation (PMR), is the ability for an animate to return to life after biological death. 
== Overview ==
When a certain species overpopulates an area, the species develops zombism, where the creature returns from the dead and lusts for flesh, even creatures who are herbivores exhibit this behavior. Zombism, in a way is simply the opposite of mating season. This is probably a way of nature correcting itself and ensures balance for the ecosystem. So far every species except the Dalmer can be affected by zombism when in situations of overpopulation (although to be fair the Dalmer are rarely, if ever, in situations of overpopulation).
There are smaller outbreaks regularly all across Welt. 
== Overpopulation ==
When population sizes become too great, most if not all species in Welt undergo a sudden change in their biochemistry that ceases sexual cell production and post mortem reanimation with pronounced cannibalistic tendencies.
This natural method of population control results in the death of up to 99.998% of the members of the species in an environment, effectively making the healthy living specimens outnumbered 5000 to 1 at the peak of a cycle.
== Post Mortem Reanimation ==
The cycle is by no means a global phenomenon, as it affects species in an enclosed environment. The cycle is believed to trigger when the species undergoes a prolonged period of starvation, generally this is more pronounced in apex predators (as in theory without them the rest of the food chain can proliferate). 
The starvation causes the release of certain enzymes that stop the creatures reproductive capacities and causes the PMR, which is then communicated to the rest of the species. What science cannot explain is that the same species known to be affected by hunger can die of starvation without undergoing PMR or infertility. It is supposed that the enzyme is only transmitted to other specimens undergoing starvation or that commit cannibalism.
With this supposition, it becomes clear that social creatures are more at risk of rapid proliferation than solitary creatures, but solitary creatures are more exposed to starvation, making them more likely to contract the enzyme. The exact origin of the enzyme is unclear to this day.
The enzyme is believed to be short lived, sometimes as short as a week, as such the PMR is not seen in recently deceased members of the species a short period of time after the initial outbreak. Usually fertility returns when the PMR affected individuals are all killed or decomposed as it eliminates the source of the enzyme, but exceptions exist with extreme results. 
Another theory is that healthy strong specimens are immune to the enzyme, comforting the survival of the fittest theory.
== Curing zombism ==
Curing zombism is a double research effort by the dalmer, the first is to return the victim to life, and the second to stop the proliferation to the undead viral strains.
===Memory recovery===
Zombies experience memory loss when they return, but this isn't necessarily permanent. With proper necropsychological treatment memory can return. It is a slow process, the person suffering from PMR must be taught everything again, language, etiquette, but it doescomes back in .5% of cases. In other cases a new personality arrives, or even feralism.
== Warfare ==
Weaponized zombism in any form is considered a forbidden weapon by the Dalmer (ex: the week long epidemic). The Dalmer use creatures affected by zombism as beasts of burden and exterminators.
Category:Undead
Category:Biology of Welt
Category:Phenomena
Category:Of Welt articles