Post by Ashe Kandor on Jul 23, 2008 21:28:10 GMT -6
_[CARRIERS]
Carriers are the .2% of the population (2 out of every 1,000) that can accept the Mange Virus without it taking them over. The process of becoming a Carrier is the same as becoming an Infected; once a human contracts the virus, they will have flu-like symptoms for two to three days. When a normal human would reach the turning point and become an Infected, Carriers fall unconscious. While unconscious, the virus finalizes the changes to their body, and when they awake, they have no memory of themselves or others. The memories that Carriers do retain are procedural--they recall how to read and write, and any physical activities stored in their muscle memory, but nothing beyond that.
In terms of physical ability, Carriers represent the "middle ground" between Immunes and Infected. Carriers have enhanced strength, speed, night vision, smell, and hearing when compared to Immunes, and are more agile and have better day vision than Infected. Carriers possess retractable fangs and claws and exhibit some animalistic behaviors, though these do not completely overtake their human rationality. The younger a Carrier was when they transitioned, the more "feral" they will behave. Carriers have a tendency to form social groups called "packs"; these packs have a hierarchy of dominance, with the most dominant Carrier, male or female, leading the pack. Dominance is not always determined by size or strength, but rather through assertiveness and the ability to lead a pack.
Because Carriers have internalized the Mange Virus, an Infected will not register a Carrier as 'human', and will not attack them unless provoked.