Zombification Plague

The Zombification Plague, also known as Z-5, is a virus spread across several dimensions. So far, presence of the virus has been recorded in every dimension registered by the Library, including the Sacred Dimension and T-2022. A cure exists, but can currently only heal villagers.

## Pathology

Currently, several different species have been observed as carriers of Z-5. Each species goes through similar stages of the virus, but there do seem to be differences in terms of infection, immunity and curability.

Humans are the most prominent carriers of Z-5. Infected humans, known as zombies, turn aggressive and will try to spread the virus by attacking other humans and villagers. Zombies retain enough intelligence to be able to wield a weapon. Infected individuals lose their resistance to the UV-rays of the sun, causing them to burn when in contact with direct sunlight. As a result, infected humans will mostly stay in hiding during the day and come out at night to attack unsuspecting villages or travellers caught outside. When a human is wearing a hat or helmet when infected, this may cause them to have enough protection from sunlight to allow them to roam in broad daylight. In addition, a mutation of Z-5, known as Z-5D, occurs naturally in deserts and allows the infected, known as Husks, to endure the sunlight. Another mutation, known as Z-5W, occurs when zombies come into contact with water. The mutation will allow them to breathe underwater and has earned them the name Drowned.

In an advanced stage of the infection, infected humans are decomposed to the bone and are practically walking skeletons. Skeletons have been observed mostly yielding a bow and arrow and prefer killing their target rather than spreading the virus. It is therefor theorized that the advanced state of their infection has made them unable to spread Z-5. Humans infected by Z-5D in an advanced state of decomposition will prefer colder climates and are known as Strays.

The second most prominent carriers of Z-5 are villagers. Infected villagers behave similarly to infected humans and will attack other villagers and players to spread the virus. Most interestingly, villagers have never been observed to decompose into skeletons. This might explain why they are the only species that is able to be cured from Z-5. A potion of weakness in combination with a golden apple will turn a zombie villager back into their normal state. Cured villagers do not seem to suffer from long term consequences of the virus. However, even if cured they can still catch the virus again and turn back into a zombie.

The third most prominent carrier of Z-5 are Piglins. Closely related to villagers, it is no surprise that they are also susceptible to the disease. However, Piglins are immune to the disease in the Nether. They can only be infected in the Overworld, similar to Hoglins. In the Overworld, it will usually take only a couple of seconds before Piglins turn into Zombified Piglins, without the need of physical contact with an infected individual. This suggests that all Piglins carry the virus in the bloodstream and only activate the disease when they are outside of the hot and dry climate of the Nether. Zombified Piglins have been observed in large numbers in the Nether, but we must assume these have arrived there after being infected in the Overworld.

## Dimension S-2012

It is speculated that before the Arrival of humans to S-2012, the Zombie virus caused the collapse of an ancient villager civilization and the retreat of Piglins into the Nether. Archaeological evidence hinting towards these facts has been recorded throughout Craftera and strongly suggests that a global calamity caused by the virus was to blame for the absence of organized nations when humans first arrived on this world (see Prehistory). Of course, Z-5 was also known by the humans before their arrival and thus it was no surprise that they also encountered it here. However, knowledge of the virus did not necessarily guarantee survival throughout history. The ends of the New Sisanctan Era and the Dark Ages were both characterized by empire-ending plagues. The discovery of a cure for villagers in 96 AA (S-2012 date) somewhat softened these plagues, but the rarity of golden apples and the difficulties of brewing made it an expensive endeavour throughout most of human history. As a result of the Industrial Revolution, curing villagers and protecting humans from Z-5 has become much easier and cheaper, resulting in the emergence of larger cities and dedicated hospitals. By all means, the threat of Z-5 has been eleminated from S-2012.

## Dimension T-2022

The history of Z-5 is well recorded in T-2022. It originated from the continent of Kojima and was spread by Kojiman imperialism across the world, including to the continent of Orwald. When the first Kojimans arrived in Orwald in 1392 (T-2022) date, Z-5 spread like a wildfire throughout the continent, depopulating and destroying native kingdoms in its wake. Desolate areas, such as the Toularean and Noctian Highlands were mostly spared, turning them into safe havens for Orwald natives and allowing nations such as Corellia and the Grenivik Chiefdom to eventually rise as great powers on the continent. Around 1750, an industrial revolution took hold of the world and gradually, the availability of cures against Z-5 improved in Orwald. By the mid-19th century, this allowed for resurgence of native nations and their declarations of independence from their Kojiman overlords. Eventually, after Orwald was transported to S-2012, the threat of the Zombification Plague was negligable due to the mass production of medicine in other parts of the world.