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[rwg]

Interesting, not something I plan to run but had a few thoughts:
I suggest that the military operation took years rather than a few months given the magnitude of the project. 
There might be backup military operations in same or other countries.
Perhaps the scientist or another or there was a spy that also sold info to the Chinese, Russians and they have their own programs.
What about zombie military dogs and for extra silliness the anti-scuba diver/mine hunting zombie porpoise? 
What happens if a zombie loses a body part, can they stick it on to reheal, can they stick on other zombie parts.  Perhaps if they stick on a non-zombie part that works.  perhaps that\'s why the hunt us to swap out their failing parts.  Rip off the old arm, stick on the new one the virus enters and it grafts on.  Same with body organs: heart, intestines, etc.  Teeth falling out time for a new jaw.  If I don't refresh on occasion mind weakens, get slower...
What about animals that are bitten?   All animals, what about those genetically close to us (monkey, rat, pig)?   Insects and plants are too far away genetically so  probably not affected.  Perhaps some human groups are immune (perhaps those with sickle cell or other diseases of the blood don't get it or something).
Perhaps a few rare individuals with certain blood type become super zombies in spite of the normal degradation.
Perhaps instead of generations getting weaker, it's their immune system or something in their genetics that causes the various reactions to the virus.
In addition, some people might be immune or become carriers but not show effects of the virus.
Some zombies may have a weakened virus that does not spread with the bite.
If you bitten do you always get it or can antibiotics stave it off.
Do you become a zombie if merely bitten or only if bitten and then die from other causes (perhaps the wound that introduced the virus kills you due to blood loss but not neccessarily as a result of the virus itself.
From your writing there is noting to indicate why they would be so evil.  If so super intelligent why not create a startup and become rich.  Why bother biting people, food was not a scarcity?  Certainly the military would not normally want that as part of the virus.  So it mutated over the years of experimentation, or there was a sudden new strain that also caused extreme aggression, which of course is a great way for the virus to spread as rabies does. 
Perhaps not all zombies react in the same way and some don't have the aggressive aspect, and help the PCs.  Perhaps PCs can take that as a positive trait to assist in infiltration.
An alternative is the military was not experimenting with the reanimation of dead folks (what a political bombshell if that was found out) but a serum given to living soldiers to improve stamina, and healing on the field.  The second professor succeeded where the first did not.  however, overtime or with certain individuals the virus mutates, biting happens, it spreads, blah blah blah.
Do your zombies want brains?  Perhaps over time the zombies mental function declines but if they ingest fresh brain matter their cognitive abilities improve for a time.  The would be a trait complication I think
The virus drives the compulsion to spread it's DNA through biting regular folks.  From the viruses standpoint there is no reason to bit another zombie (unless really hungry) as that creature already has the virus and by killing another zombie you are reducing the chance of the virus spreading it's own genes (or a close variant) through proxy.  Of course if the Chinese/Russian strain was very different then we might have a Zombie war. 
Some of the zombies are smart you say so I would think they would set up human farms, they might try to limit their own zombie population to not over harvest humans.
Do zombies eat anything other than fresh yummy human meat.  Realistically(but could be ignored for game purposes) they would not have energy to move and would be crawling of the ground and become immobile once there is an insufficient human population to feed on.  Perhaps they still eat as normal but humans are the favored delicacy.

rwg

 

[gothicincarnation]

Interesting, not something I plan to run but had a few thoughts:

You should run it! It is going to be the Greatest Zombie Horror Game Ever! Besides I said so.  LOL

I suggest that the military operation took years rather than a few months given the magnitude of the project.

According to the story line I am working on, the initial version of the Serum was discovered by accident. But it took 13 years to get it to the current state. So got that covered.

There might be backup military operations in same or other countries. Perhaps the scientist or another or there was a spy that also sold info to the Chinese, Russians and they have their own programs.

Interesting thoughts, I might consider that as a possibility. Well... there's one problem with that as I think of it... There are only 13 of the type one zombies (and considering they live well over 100,000 years (due to their regeneration rate) before decomposing to useless shells, that's a good thing they are limited.) if the project was taken to multiple places, it would create more than just 13 type one zombies. But then, different country, different research, different zombies? IDk, I'll have to think on that one. One thing I insist on is continuity and consistency. But I might be able to come up with a plan based on that idea.

What about zombie military dogs and for extra silliness the anti-scuba diver/mine hunting zombie porpoise? 

I already plan on Zombie Animals and Insects etc... So Dogs, Cats, Parasitic animals (Bats, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, flies, scavenger birds, etc...), horses and even cows. A porpoise? Maybe, but it might be a stretch... A Shark would be more likely if it ate a zombie...

What happens if a zombie loses a body part, can they stick it on to reheal, can they stick on other zombie parts.  Perhaps if they stick on a non-zombie part that works.  perhaps that\'s why the hunt us to swap out their failing parts.  Rip off the old arm, stick on the new one the virus enters and it grafts on.  Same with body organs: heart, intestines, etc.  Teeth falling out time for a new jaw.  If I don't refresh on occasion mind weakens, get slower... 

No, if they loose a limb, and have regen (only top 4 types have regen) it will just grow back on it's own. Hack a Zombie to pieces, and the largest piece will regrow the entire body. See the Serum is in the nervous system, not the tissue itself or the brain. So regen'ing Zombies will regrow anything lost, head, arm, leg, etc... But they do need to feed on flesh. failing to feed causes their decomposition to speed up. for every day they do not feed, -1 year to their lifespan. So the smarter ones are building "flesh farms" to keep the human population up for their food source.

However! With some uncommon zombie mutations caused by different kinds of radiation, chemical spills, and other toxins, this kind of zombie may show up anyway sooner or later. Though it will likely be a unique form and only be a few of them over all.

What about animals that are bitten?   All animals, what about those genetically close to us (monkey, rat, pig)?   Insects and plants are too far away genetically so  probably not affected.

See above. No animal, insect, etc is immune to the serum. A few humans are though. See next answer.

Perhaps some human groups are immune (perhaps those with sickle cell or other diseases of the blood don't get it or something).

Some humans are immune. Haven't reall decided on exactly why yet, but I'll think of something, like your ideas. . The Zombie infection can be cured if caught in time. But it is a pain in the neck. You have a very limited time (Str+Wil x d4 hours) to begin treatment or your zombified. Two ways to do it: 1) HEAVY antibiotics, once a day for 7 days, miss a dose, start over with a -1 step. 2) The Zombie Vaccine, same rules, but no -1 step if you have to start over. The Vaccine is made from the blood of humans that are immune. Immunity will be an asset, susceptible will be a complication.

Perhaps a few rare individuals with certain blood type become super zombies in spite of the normal degradation.

I thought about that, but then players would have to have random blood types assigned to them and a lot more work would have to go into infection mechanics. It's complex enough, not bad but enough, now so I don't want to complicate it any further.

Perhaps instead of generations getting weaker, it's their immune system or something in their genetics that causes the various reactions to the virus.

Interesting idea, but I'd have to start all over from scratch if I tried that. Too far in to do that. Aside from that it would complicate the system more than it already is. And it is just under the too complex now. It's still easily playable without too much bother, but any more complex and no one would play it, even me. LOL

In addition, some people might be immune or become carriers but not show effects of the virus. Some zombies may have a weakened virus that does not spread with the bite.

Got that covered with a few Assets and Complications, some zombie only.
 

If you bitten do you always get it or can antibiotics stave it off.

See above.

Do you become a zombie if merely bitten or only if bitten and then die from other causes (perhaps the wound that introduced the virus kills you due to blood loss but not neccessarily as a result of the virus itself.

There is a rule for it. 1st, you have to take at least 4+ wound damage from a Zombie melee attack (Claw or bite). Then you make a check to see if you got infected. If not, no problem. If so, you make a check to see how long you have to administer treatment. Then (see above...). If you die while you have the infection untreated, you will rise in d4 hours as a zombie.

From your writing there is noting to indicate why they would be so evil.  If so super intelligent why not create a startup and become rich.  Why bother biting people, food was not a scarcity?  Certainly the military would not normally want that as part of the virus.  So it mutated over the years of experimentation, or there was a sudden new strain that also caused extreme aggression, which of course is a great way for the virus to spread as rabies does. 
Perhaps not all zombies react in the same way and some don't have the aggressive aspect, and help the PCs.  Perhaps PCs can take that as a positive trait to assist in infiltration.
An alternative is the military was not experimenting with the reanimation of dead folks (what a political bombshell if that was found out) but a serum given to living soldiers to improve stamina, and healing on the field.  The second professor succeeded where the first did not.  however, overtime or with certain individuals the virus mutates, biting happens, it spreads, blah blah blah.

OK, well I got all that covered. But it is way to involved and complex a story to list here now. The story above is only a short example, not the whole thing. I wrote that sitting right here making the post, so it isn't the entire story and only bits of it with a lot left out for space. Give me a few weeks and you can check out the whole thing when I post the preview up. 

Do your zombies want brains?  Perhaps over time the zombies mental function declines but if they ingest fresh brain matter their cognitive abilities improve for a time.  The would be a trait complication I think

No, the serum is what causes the change and it effects the nerves and nervous system. So their intelligence is located all over their bodies, not just the brain. I did that to stop the atypical one head shot deaths. Had to make it more challenging that that or every shot would be a called shot and it'd be too easy. They need flesh to survive, just like we need food. flesh is the fuel that powers the serum, without eating flesh the body decomposes faster and they can not survive. in other words, the serum needs living tissue to sustain itself, zombies are rotting tissue, so they have to eat living tissue to keep alive.

The virus drives the compulsion to spread it's DNA through biting regular folks.  From the viruses standpoint there is no reason to bit another zombie (unless really hungry) as that creature already has the virus and by killing another zombie you are reducing the chance of the virus spreading it's own genes (or a close variant) through proxy.  Of course if the Chinese/Russian strain was very different then we might have a Zombie war. 

The Serum is intelligent of it's own accord, but it is basic instinct only. Survive, and live. The intelligent zombies don't want to turn everyone, because if they did there would be no food and they would die. It's the lower zombies that eat everything they see, so the upper zombies will actually kill off the lower ones if there get to be too many.

Some of the zombies are smart you say so I would think they would set up human farms, they might try to limit their own zombie population to not over harvest humans.

funny thing is I am reading your post as I am replying to it. And I keep saying see above. This is no different. See Above. LOL They do intend to have "flesh farms" to breed and harvest humans like we do cows.

Do zombies eat anything other than fresh yummy human meat.  Realistically(but could be ignored for game purposes) they would not have energy to move and would be crawling of the ground and become immobile once there is an insufficient human population to feed on.  Perhaps they still eat as normal but humans are the favored delicacy.

Well, I intend to allow Zombies to eat anything, but it would be useless to them as the serum requires living flesh to survive. So they can eat it, but it would be just for show. And with the a fore mentioned "flesh farms" they won't be too worried about running out of food.

Wow that was long. LOL But I love it. The more ideas I get the more I can make this a game everyone would like!

[Arnie100]

Any updates?? 

[gothicincarnation]

Well I have the story just over half finished now. Should be done next week. (Got a lot going on at the moment).

The Zombie Sheets/Descriptions template is all done for all types. Just need to fill in a bunch of them. Most of them won't take long as they are rather generic (Type 02-13) but the Type 01 and King Zombie sheets need to be detailed. I have the King and 1 of the 13's done save for a few assets and complications + Skills. This is the part that will take me the longest. But I should have them done and ready in a week or two. I might just make a generic Type 01 sheet for the preview to speed things up though and put the full 13 sheets in the next preview.

Most everything else for the preview is pretty much done. Might make a few more updates and corrections but for the most part the preview sections are done (save for the story which is very important to understanding the world and the Zombies, and the Zombie sheets/descriptions.)

I am sure that there is a lot missing from these sections so far. But that is why I am previewing it like this so you all can tell me what you think, ask questions I forgot to answer in the sections and remind me of things I forgot so far. Also, give me more ideas and help me correct some things that might not work properly currently.

[Arnie100]

Awesome! Can't wait to see it!

[gothicincarnation]

Well just to give you an update. It's all done but the Zombie sheets/descriptions. Which is obviously extremely important as that is where all the stats are. I have been having a bit of a problem concentrating lately (due to someone I live with, who is a drunk and extremely loud. No I can not get away from him, move my PC, nor move out either. Don't ask why, just know that it is what it is.) However, I should have the preview out by the end of the month anyway. A lot of it is done already so I might just drop a generic sheet in for the 13 type 01 zombies (Instead of 1 for each) just to speed things up like I said before.

My testing group is at maximum players (8-9 to be exact) and they all love the game. I am starting to get suggestions from them too. I even have a Tweeker/Munchkin player so he is helping me make it a bit less capable of having players munchkin out the game. You can't stop all munchkining, but you can limit what they can do and he is helping me do that. I also have a power gamer, and I am learning ways to help prevent that too by adding things to each zombie that makes power gaming a dumb idea... Or at least an idea that will get you killed fast. LOL

Anyway, hopefully I will have the 1st preview up and ready to go by my B-day (Jan 29th) give or take. And it will be enough to get you all started. Just use the Cortex core book to make characters and the preview to set the world and some basic adventures and you are good to go. Later preview versions will have character info, assets and complications and skills, as well as gear and equipment. See you then!

[Arnie100]

Cool! Bring on the zombies!!!

[gothicincarnation]

My PC finally died yesterday, WinXP software issues, so I am in the process of reinstalling (and upgrading to Windows 7) so I'll likely be missing for the next day or two.

So far the only complaint I have about Windows 7 is the lack of a mail client. Had to get Thunderbird from Mozilla... Don't like it much either... I prefer my outlook Express.

This will likely slow down and delay the preview release. But all files are backed up so I didn't loose a single word. 

[Jaysun]

Sounds pretty awesome. Being in a zombie mood recently I look forward to checking this out.

[speshul]

this is every interesting and probably sparked my interest to start my PBP campaign, not that will definately be zombies.... its a normal every day world (at the begining)

[Arnie100]

Any updates?? 

[gothicincarnation]

Well the PC is back up and running again with Windows 7. Still getting used to it, went from XP to 7, adjustment time. Anyway, I have been slow in getting back to the game as last Saturday we didn't play due to a snow storm here in VA. Only got about 7" or so but folks here in the south have no clue how to drive in the snow. More accidents around here lately than in all of last year.

Should have the first preview up in a week or so. All the preview stuff is pretty much done, just have to tweak a few things and finish the descriptions/Sheets for the Zombies.

Sorry about the delay...

[Jaysun]

Off Subject comment

...here in VA.

Cool, I live in VA as well. On the other side of the Coleman Bridge, not far off of 17N...small world.

[gothicincarnation]

Well you should come down and play in the beta then! I'm just south of you in Hampton (Just north of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel) we play at Atomic Comics Emporium (ACE) on W Mercury Blvd 5pm-9pm Saturdays.

Everyone is welcome, and we usually have a pretty decent sized group. You'd have to join the Game Club though, we play in the Game Room and it is club members only (Sucks I know) but it is only $15 for a year so it isn't bad at all. Come on down and play next week! (Looks like this week is going to be canceled too due to snow... *sigh*)

I'm getting annoyed with no one showing up cause of a few inches of snow on the ground. I lived in New Jersey for 6 years, this wouldn't get anything to close up there. LOL

[Jaysun]

08 - Zombie Animals, Insects & more
As the title says, more than just Humans will get infected... Have fun tossing a pack of Zombie Dogs on your players then have them get infested with Zombie fleas! Good times there. LOL

Insects? Ah man, that's rough.

I am planning a gear section too. It will include some specific weapons...makeshift weapons...and unusual weapons...

Banjo?

Yeah I'll most likely make it a PDF.

Have you thought about contacting MWP and shopping this to them as an official Cortex setting supplement? I realize they are present here on the forum, but the forum isn't exactly the place to discuss those type of things.

Well you should come down and play in the beta then! I'm just south of you in Hampton (Just north of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel) we play at Atomic Comics Emporium (ACE) on W Mercury Blvd 5pm-9pm Saturdays.

That's cool, I stop in at ACE every now and then, nice place. Question...I may not be able to play on a weekly basis, would that present a big problem? Also, I sent you a PM concerning me playing.

You'd have to join the Game Club...it is only $15 for a year

That's not bad.

I'm getting annoyed with no one showing up cause of a few inches of snow on the ground. I lived in New Jersey for 6 years, this wouldn't get anything to close up there. LOL

I hear that, I am from WV..snows more there than down here. Actually just spoke to my folks and they said they currently have 28+ inches.

Ever thought about trying to do a PBP? Perhaps you could even have it hosted here.

[gothicincarnation]

Insects? Ah man, that's rough.

Yep it is. You see the serum that starts this whole mess turns out to have it's own minor intelligence... well more of survival instinct because it's actually alive. Therefore it strives to stay alive anyway it can. So anything living can become a host, and then needs to feed on flesh to survive. So it will only count for insects that feed on flesh: Flies, mosquitoes, fleas, etc...

Banjo?

Watched Zombieland did we? LOL Yeah we will likely have a Banjo in there somewhere. This is year one so there will not be many homemade weapons yet, but there will be a lot of "it can be a weapon if you swing it at em" weapons.

Have you thought about contacting MWP and shopping this to them as an official Cortex setting supplement? I realize they are present here on the forum, but the forum isn't exactly the place to discuss those type of things.

I thought about it, but 2 things stop me. 1- I am not the greatest writer in the world and it would likely have to be completely rewritten by someone better before it could be published. and 2- I can not earn any additional money. So unless they were willing to trade it for books... I doubt they'd go for it. ANd to answer the question before it is asked: Why can't I earn any money? I am on disability. If I earn any major amount of cash they cancel my checks and I can barely survive on what I make now.

That's cool, I stop in at ACE every now and then, nice place. Question...I may not be able to play on a weekly basis, would that present a big problem? Also, I sent you a PM concerning me playing.

Nope no problem at all. I have a rotating player group as is. Sometimes we have 9 others we only have 4 or 5. I am getting good and hiding players who are missing. We have a regular group mostly but occasionally we have new players here and there. So no problem at all. I'll PM you back in a few.

That's not bad.

Nope not too bad. Used to be worse, was $30 for the 1st year and $10 a year after. But it included the t-shirt then. I got them to kill adding the T-shirt and make it separate. So it was $15 for the first year and $10 a year renewal. Course if you but the t-shirt too ($15-18 depending on the size) and wear it you get a discount when you buy stuff.

I hear that, I am from WV..snows more there than down here. Actually just spoke to my folks and they said they currently have 28+ inches.

Yeah people here have no clue what to do with snow. Back in Jersey they would barely break out the plows for this snow fall. LOL

Ever thought about trying to do a PBP? Perhaps you could even have it hosted here.

I was thinking about it... But I am not very good with PBP or PBM games. Crap always gets messed up. But once I get enough of it done to run beta games (without being in my head. LOL) if you or someone else wanted to try a PBP I'd be more than willing to play in it and help.

[Jaysun]

Yep it is...it will only count for insects that feed on flesh: Flies, mosquitoes, fleas, etc...

Alright I understand that.

Watched Zombieland did we?

Yeah, personally I got to say...my wife & I loved it.

I can not earn any additional money.

Ah man, sorry to hear that. Well a labor of love as this project is we be a great addition to the cortex world.

I was thinking about it... But I am not very good with PBP or PBM games. Crap always gets messed up. But once I get enough of it done to run beta games (without being in my head. LOL) if you or someone else wanted to try a PBP I'd be more than willing to play in it and help.

*shrugs* Who knows, to early to tell.

[Argamae]

Just as an aside: did you ever try the ALL FLESH MUST BE EATEN rpg? Imho the best treatment of the zombie genre in gaming to date. Might serve you in constructing your own game and/or setting.

[Arnie100]

Any more updates? 

[gothicincarnation]

Just as an aside: did you ever try the ALL FLESH MUST BE EATEN rpg? Imho the best treatment of the zombie genre in gaming to date. Might serve you in constructing your own game and/or setting.

I have actually, yes. It is a good treatment of the genre for sure. I have gotten a few ideas from it, but there are so many things it misses or doesn't explain fully to my satisfaction. It also lends to a "Short Survival Game" instead of a full out campaign, more often than not. It requires the GM to be far more resourceful alone to make a good, long game. I want to take some of that away and make the game more inventive so the GM has an easier time of it.

Any more updates? 

Unfortunately, everything has slowed down to a crawl... Life is keeping me too busy lately. But never fear, I have NOT given up or quit! I am still working on it, just really slowly. I have some new ideas and modifications to make, but the Preview should be up sometime soon... I hope.