Can it infect clams? 'Cause, you know, it's got poxviridae in it's title...

Wait, poxviridae are the ones that can infect vertebrates and invertebrates, right?

More importantly, what does it do to large mammals (besides humans)? Go to Comment

It is an acceptable summary of the topic, but I have to disagree with my esteemed colleague in the question of origin. The first theory simply assumes that this condition somehow randomly came to pass, the other refers to a historical, and partly legendary personality of which there are few reliable sources. And I will not waste time on the topic of vampires, that would be discovered before, if they ever existed. It is true, that the virus is unusually intricate in its effects. It stands therefore to reason, that it might have been created, that it is artificial, rather than natural. Think of the advantages - this is a way to create better soldier, even if the experiment failed. Go to Comment

Only voted Go to Comment

Yes, I mirror Murometz, finish it! Looks great! Go to Comment

I have been looking forward to this one! Great work Demagogue! Go to Comment

Its lovely, do finish it. Go to Comment

I found this a stimulating article, like the way you presented it, love the science and pseudo-science behind it, and would call it more than an "acceptable summary"

What is great about it, imho, is that it reads like some middle chapter of a modern supernatural thriller, the chapter where the geeky type begins to unravel the "mysteries" for the benefit of the determined but hapless protaganist :)

Oh and the General's speech was a nice cherry! Go to Comment

Heh. Excellent details - I love it! Go to Comment

This sub was inspired by manfred's new take on vampires, which I enjoyed, but decided that an alternative explanation of vampires with a biological basis was needed. All of the biological information is accurate to my knowledge, but if it happens to be incorrect or too technical to understand, please let me know. Go to Comment

Updated: I changed the data on retroviruses. Thanks for pointing that out, Ouroboros, I don't know how I missed it. There is another term for this kind of virus, but I cannot recall what it is. Go to Comment

First some nit-picking: a retrovirus starts out as RNA, which are reverse-transcribed into DNA (by the originally named reverse transcriptase enzyme), and that DNA-fragment is integrated into the host genome. It´s not really important, since it doesnt detract from the post. Which is EXCELLENT! Love these "scientific" ones - oh, and the general´s speech at the end is a real nice touch. Good work! 5/5 and a HoH Go to Comment

Its my pleasure, D. I believe these buggers were called RNAvirus back in the olden days when I was in school. As a side note, there´s something that´s called an arbovirus that is spread through bites....That might be of interest too, don´t you think? All in all, a very good post! /David Go to Comment

Myself, I don't like liches that much. But this guy is quite fine; he is easier to grasp than the regular garden variety interested only in esoteric research, or (yawn) more power. Kudos for that. Go to Comment

What is the legal status of liches in your world? Go to Comment

What manfred said! Though his name, Morbid, is slightly hammer-over-head. I _do_ like his personality and outlook though. He would be interesting to interact with.

Oh and liches 'legal status', Cheka? Rlly? Go to Comment

A well done Lich, though a little out there :) He can be used in place of regular liches with a bit of adaptation - ones world may not be very good for open liches, but there may be places he can indulge his lifestyle. Go to Comment

My world doesn't have a large chunk of legislation on anything. The closest approximation I can think of would be The Lord of the Rings, only Sauron won, then died. Basically, the primary population is evil, at least for the time being, which makes for a very chaotic social structure. Liches are accepted on whether or not they can survive. This allows Morbid to take liberties in his creative process that would usually draw an army of crusaders to his door. Go to Comment

But then would EVERYBODY there hate you. You really don't want that.


While I would seriously be against the employment of such projectiles, it is scary that they do not sound improbable at all... they could be real.

There will be soldier stories of men that weren't dead, but killed or maimed during the spasms... and there is bound to be a story about a lucky bloke that was killed, but got revived by the bullet.

So yes, this will have some effect on the battlefield. Most soldiers will quickly learn of its existence, dulling a bit it's intended effect. Go to Comment

Well, the intended use is to make the hit person dead - and to freak out any of its comrades around. Go to Comment

An interesting idea, one that would have to be used sparingly lest the users become the subject of conventions and treaties like the Geneva convention. Then those using said weapons would become war criminals, plus over-use and the effect of the weapon would be dulled. Go to Comment