Survivors are individuals who have either not been infected or are immune to the affliction. They have endured the zombie apocalypse from the very beginning and often take measures to protect themselves from the undead and other survivors if needed.
Types of Survivors[]
As the zombie apocalypse has killed off most of the world's population, people are scattered amongst the world's many former nations. These people can be on their own or in groups, which can make them either friend or foe.
Normals[]
Normals seek a fresh start in a world overrun by zombies. They carry essential items for survival and will defend themselves if needed. Normals often collaborate with other survivors for safety in numbers or to create a new life together.
Hunters[]
The Hunter is a skilled and dangerous individual who has adapted their hunting skills to prey on unsuspecting individuals, including both zombies and other survivors. The Hunter employs a variety of tactics and strategies, utilizing traps and conventional hunting techniques to gain the upper hand. Their ability to blend into the environment, track their prey, and strike with precision makes them a formidable adversary.
Bandits[]
Unlike regular survivors who focus on cooperation and rebuilding, bandits prioritize their own interests and are willing to exploit and harm others to meet their needs.
They are not hesitant to resort to violence, using firearms, melee weapons, and other means to intimidate, incapacitate, or kill their victims. They see other survivors as potential threats or resources to exploit, viewing acts of aggression as a means to ensure their survival.
Cannibals[]
Cannibals are usually those who have resorted to eating the flesh of humans as a means to survive. This is usually caused either by a shortage of food or simply because a person is too psychologically unstable. Quislings are a perfect example of psychologically unstable people who resort to biting and even eating people due to the fact that they act more like zombies. Cannibals are not always seen and you may not find them, however make sure not to eliminate them out of your list of possibilities.
Insane Survivors[]
Some survivors may struggle to cope with the stress, fear, and guilt of their new reality. Insanity can manifest in various ways but often involves irrational thoughts, behavior, and beliefs. Although not all survivors with mental health issues are hostile or aggressive, their condition can pose risks and challenges.
Symptoms exhibited by these individuals may include paranoia, hallucinations, disorganized speech, erratic behavior, or emotional instability. Their ability to think logically and make sound judgments becomes impaired, hindering their effectiveness in navigating the dangers of the zombie apocalypse.
Cultists[]
A form of survivor which is in the sort of rare category, cultists are usually those who worship deities of various different cultures, base them around something or someone or even the various religions of the fallen world. Cults usually vary in terms of their danger, based around their beliefs and practice many unspeakable taboos on themselves or outsiders. Such taboos include:
- Human Sacrifice/Cannibalism: Certain cults may believe in appeasing some godly force through human sacrifice. They may perform sacrifice rituals on individuals within their ranks or unsuspecting outsiders who come across their settlements. It's possible that some cults also consume the flesh of the sacrificed individuals, reminiscent of ancient civilizations like the Aztecs. The consumption of zombie flesh is an uncommon but possible occurrence among these cults.
- Unwanted Sexual Acts: Given the scarcity of individuals during the apocalypse, there may be an increased likelihood of sexual assault, making both males and females susceptible to becoming victims.
- Subjugation and Enslavement: Similar to the behavior of mentally unstable survivors, cults might engage in practices of slavery, disregarding the centuries-long abolition of such practices. With the collapse or crumbling of governing bodies due to the apocalypse, cults may seize the opportunity to exert control over captured outsiders.
L.M.O.E[]
Last Men On Earth, also referred to as "Lamoes" are survivors who believed they're the only ones to survive the zombie attack. They usually consider themselves big and bad. They can however be dangerous, but some might be more compassionate. The compassionate ones are usually referred to as "Robinson Crusoe".
Former Soldiers[]
Although rare, soldiers may sometimes desert or be separated from their squad. These soldiers will either attempt to survive on their own/in goups, or will join other survivor teams. Most of the time, former soldiers are friendly and often seek to be reunited with their squad. Others will try to thrive in the place they're stuck in. The strategies former soldiers use are regarded as the best available, making them good leaders. Be wary, as some former soldiers will join with bandit groups, and will put their military training to bad use. Aside from this, there is a chance that soldiers can teach other survivors in the art of combat.
Radicalistic Groups[]
A rare, but possible group of survivors might come in the form of those who were radicalist groups before the zombie apocalypse even began. These consist of several groups, including neo-nazis, neo-communists, etc. They can be as dangerous or even more so than any other group survivors might stumble upon, as they could attempt to conquer or kill any of those who don't meet their criteria. Anyone who don't meet such criteria, would likely end up as slaves or even used for target practice.
Immune/Enhanced[]
With every disease upon the planet of Earth or any Earth-type planet, there is a slim number of the population that possess an immune system, giving them either a significant resistance or complete immunity to whatever it is and that same principal also applies to contagions that have turned humanity into flesh-eating monsters. These people, naturally referred to as the immune, are either infected from the conventional means like a bite or scratch or through some other means, either during the initial outbreak or later on into the apocalypse. There are also people who haven't been bitten or scratched at all and remain uninfected still. Note too that just because someone has survived for so long during the initial outbreak and eventual apocalypse and is later infected, doesn't necessarily make them a member of this group of people, as there is a 90% chance of infection turning someone, with a 10% chance of immunity. Individuals are typically found by accident, but there's always a chance that people have immune individuals within their ranks and have discovered their immunity through analysis.
Immunity can happen in a multitude of ways, either through antibodies, mutations, etc. Despite this however, immune individuals could still be infected by other strains of the virus to which they possess natural immunity, or at the very least, significant resistance. Rarer still, comes the form of an immune individual that is immune to all forms of infectious agents, natural or genetically engineered and have the potential to use whatever viral agent in their system is to their benefit. Examples of these individuals include Albert Wesker, who possessed superior genetics that allowed him not only immunity to viruses that would otherwise create a B.O.W, but also through his high metabolic rate, allow him to mold the virus in his body to his benefit, gifting him superior physical abilities. Through his dominant genetic traits, Wesker's son, Jake Muller, also inherited his natural immunity to all known viral agents as well. There is also a chance that something within the environment could also override immunity in the individual, such as a chemical. Of course, with any type of survivor, there is always a chance that the immune individual is on either the side of good or evil and that even though they are immune to the effects of whatever plague there is, they are not invincible, as zombies will target them just as they would any other survivor. There is also a chance that those who are supposedly immune, are not immune at all, but are asymptomatic, which would make them "carriers". This would likely cause them to pass the contagion to others, albeit unintentionally. An example of carriers would be Bill, Louis, Zoey, Francis, Nick, Ellis, Coach and Rochelle, who are infected with the Green Flu, but show no symptoms of the contagion, however are capable of passing it to others around them.
Main Survival Philosophies[]
Safety-by-numbers[]
These survivors are most likely to form groups with the ultimate goal of rebuilding civilization again. They will accept newcomers and try to save as many people as they can to repopulate humanity. An example of this person is Rick from the Walking Dead.
Winner takes all[]
These survivors are most likely to take advantage of other to ensure they survive in the end no matter whom is hurt in process. They will use others as bait (via tripping, wounding,etc.) to create a diversion to escape a horde of zombies when surrounded. An example of this person is Shane from the Walking Dead.
Don't Completely Trust Anybody[]
While it is pretty crucial in the survival of you and your group, trust is something that isn't to be given away easily. While this may seem like it's counter productive to your survival, you really shouldn't completely trust anyone, regardless of your bond to them. There is always a chance that sooner or later, you and your group will likely be betrayed by those in your group, or those you've just met.