Zombies

A "Ghost Infested Zombie"

Zombies manifest in various forms, presenting a wide range of powers, abilities, and weaknesses. These undead creatures (usually humans) can be brought back to life through diverse means, including spells, necromancy, and other mysterious methods. Additionally, a distinct group of zombie-like entities consists of corpses that have been possessed by Ghosts, resulting in eerie and unsettling phenomena.

The dispatch of zombies is typically achieved through specific methods, each tailored to exploit their unique vulnerabilities. Among the most commonly employed techniques are beheading, staking, and the use of fire. However, the efficacy of these methods varies depending on the type of zombie encountered, leading hunters to grapple with the abundance of lore surrounding the walking dead and their intricate extermination techniques as while these methods offer some measure of success, it is worth noting that different types of zombies may exhibit variations in susceptibility to these weaknesses. In some instances, hunters have found themselves overwhelmed by the complexities of zombie lore and the sometimes unorthodox strategies required to defeat them.

## Characteristics

Various types of zombies exist, each distinguished by their distinct traits and characteristics. These types encompass a range of powers and abilities, further complicating the task of eradicating them. Here, we delve into some notable types of zombies that exist in lore:

* **Zombies Raised by Necromancy/Magic:** These zombies are brought back to life through the potent art of necromancy. Dark practitioners harness ancient rituals and arcane spells to reanimate the deceased, giving rise to formidable undead beings. Necromantic zombies exhibit enhanced physical strength and resilience, making them formidable opponents to those who dare to challenge them - After being reanimated, their personalities endure temporarily, gradually giving way to heightened aggression as they target individuals whom they perceive to have caused them harm or done them wrong in their previous lives. As these specific zombies persist, their survival hinges on the consumption of human flesh to sustain their bodies. Possessing near-invulnerability, these creatures exhibit resistance to most forms of harm except for silver, and the sole method to definitively halt their relentless advance entails either driving a silver stake through their grave beds or a silver bullet to the head.
* **Zombies Raised by Powerful Beings:** A particularly menacing, yet more stereotypical variation - Infectious zombies are raised by powerful beings (eg: A powerful demon) to cause chaos and have the ability to transmit their affliction to others. Victims of their bites or scratches risk succumbing to the same zombie transformation and will keep their personalities in tact until this process is complete, fueling the relentless expansion of the undead horde, Head shots and Decapitation are the only ways to kill these zombies, it is also suspected that if the being responsible for raising the dead is killed then the zombie curse will cease immediately.
* **Voodoo Zombies:** The rarest variant: Originating from the mystical practices of Voodoo, these zombies are created through this dark art and the dead that are raised through this process are controlled by a single person (if they're powerful enough) or a group of people, Voodoo can also turn the living into mindless slaves who will display zombie characteristics but aren't true zombies, this variant doesn't need to consume human flesh and can be stopped through usual means of dispatching the undead according to reports and case files however not much is known about this variant other than what has been noted here.
* **Ghost-Infested Corpses:** In a peculiar twist, this group of zombies are not the result of reanimation but rather the possession of deceased bodies by Ghosts. These ethereal entities can control the lifeless husks of their once living body by entering them, re-animating them with a malevolent energy. Ghost-infested corpses can be identified by a black goo (Ectoplasm) that surrounds the eyes of the corpse, Fire will put these Zombies back to rest in a similar way that "Burning and Salting" works for dispatching ghosts, stabbing a corpse through the heart whilst it's been possessed by a ghost may also work according to some case files.

## Powers and Abilities

* Enhanced senses – A zombie's sense of hearing, sight, and smell pass that of a normal human's after being brought back from the dead.
* Infectious bite - A zombie raised by a powerful being can turn humans, or anything it bites, into a zombie.
* Invulnerability – Traditional zombies, along with zombies raised by magic, are impervious to most harm.
* Superhuman strength – A zombie's strength can far exceed that of a human in some cases.

## Weaknesses

* Decapitation - All Zombie variants can be killed via decapitation apart from Ghost-Infested Corpses.
* Fire - Burning a Ghost-Infested Corpse will repel the ghost inside it, Zombies raised by dark magic (depending on how they are raised) can also show a weakness to fire and engulfing them in flames not only causes physical harm but also disrupts the dark energy that sustains their existence and can, in extreme circumstances, reduce them to ashes - Holy fire can also work and cure living people that have become Voodoo Zombies.
* Head shots - Most Zombies are vulnerable to headshots aside from Zombies raised through Magic.
* Heart - This traditional method, often associated with vampires, also proves effective against certain types of zombies. Driving a stake through the heart of a zombie can disrupt the supernatural forces that keep them animated either incapacitating or permanently destroying them.
* Holy objects - Voodoo Zombies (because of the dark art that raised them) can be slowed or trapped in place by a crucifix or holy water.
* Magic - Zombies are vulnerable to magic like most beings, this is mainly true for Zombies raised by Magic as if someone reverses the spell that raised them in the first place, they will turn on whoever raised them before the curse is lifted and they return to being simple corpses.
* Salt - Ghost-Infested Corpses are vulnerable to what hunters call "Burning and Salting" and therefore vulnerable to salt like regular Ghosts.
* Silver - Whilst normal bullets won't harm a Zombie raised through Magic; Silver bullets can incapacitate them - Zombies raised through magic can only be stopped by being staked inside a coffin with silver however simple contact with silver will cause a zombie great discomfort as it will burn them.

## Episodes

### 1.01 Pilot

Shane locates Mary Green's grave in a cemetery, he pretends to be working on behalf of the local council to gain access, he then begins to dig, eventually reaching the coffin. Disturbed by the sight of Mary's decomposing body, he retrieves items from his backpack to put her to rest "the old fashioned way" - as Shane prepares to perform the necessary "Burning and Salting" process, he hears someone behind him and turns around to see Mary standing there causing him to put down his backpack as a sign of respect. Mary, still harboring anger, asks him why he took so long causing to Shane apologize, dryly explaining that he got caught up in other things.

Mary's ghost expresses her impatience and grabs Shane by the face, pulling him close. Their faces are inches apart as she warns him to make it quick because she's not there to play games anymore. She then pushes him toward the grave, nearly causing him to fall in. However, Shane regains his balance and takes out a tube of salt from his backpack and creating a line of salt between himself and the ghost, Shane challenges her to try and cross it, explaining that he prefers to work without spirits interfering. Mary smirks, confident that the salt won't stop her, and quickly teleports to the other side of the grave, disappearing from sight.

Suddenly, Mary's corpse's eyes open, dripping ectoplasm, and she attempts to climb out of the grave. Shane reacts quickly and throws salt into the grave, covering the reanimated Mary. He then grabs a gas lighter and sets the corpse's suit jacket on fire. The burning corpse causes Mary's spirit to retreat from it. She reappears as a ghost by the grave, on her knees and weakened due to her body being burned and salted by Shane.

### 2.07 Firestorm

The hypnotized individuals, colloquially referred to as "Zombies" despite not being actual zombies, are manipulated by the archangel Azrael, a powerful entity with malevolent intentions. These individuals are initially seen as regular townsfolk of Loyalton, going about their daily lives, driving cars, and engaging in normal activities. However, their behavior takes a sinister turn under Azrael's influence.

Azrael, using his hypnotic powers, compels these people to act against their will. They become robotic in their movements, seemingly losing their individuality and autonomy. They carry out Azrael's commands mindlessly, showing the extent of his control over them. This is first demonstrated when Azrael, with a mere flick of his fingers, causes several motorists to exit their vehicles and follow him into town like the Pied Piper. Their purpose becomes singular - to assist Azrael in his search for a specific item, a blade of significant power.

The hypnotized townspeople's actions escalate as Azrael's plan unfolds. They invade various stores and outlets, searching frantically for the blade that Azrael desires. Their behavior becomes increasingly aggressive under his command, as they are instructed to attack anyone who attempts to impede their search. This aggression is a stark contrast to their normal behavior, highlighting the extent of their transformation under Azrael's influence.

In a climactic moment, the hypnotized individuals gather around a hill, forming a circle and holding hands. They hum in unison, contributing to a ritualistic atmosphere. Their collective energy is harnessed by Azrael, who intends to use it to cleanse the world and usher in a new era as per his vision. The townspeople, still under his control, are prepared to attack Shane and Kyle Macleod on Azrael's orders, further exemplifying their complete submission to his will, the townsfolk are freed from Azrael's control when the archangel is banished by a Dragon.