It was never entirely clear where precisely the Outbreak originated. Initially, the first sightings of the Undead began at a remote location in Korea, where the international eye of government had been watching for some time as rumors spread of a secret experiment on new biological weaponry. The source was unclear. Within a matter of days of the first reports the infection had already begun to spread at an alarming rate. Carriers of the virus went unaffected and without symptoms for several days before the inevitable transformation occurred.

Tourists and military personnel alike brought it back to their homes, causing the virus to spread like wildfire. By the time the international alert had been sent out to the governments of all nations, Undead had started to sprout up in more and more places. The shambling Horde attacked without prejudice. The largest military operation in history since the end of the Second Great War went into effect to try and contain the spreading virus, but without the experience or knowledge of how to handle such an unprecedented event, those forces were quickly overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of hungry, ravenous creatures.

The nations were violently effected by the abrupt, overwhelming tragedy. As the virus spread to their people in large quantities, many were weakened by the sudden tide of death that rolled across borders, territories, and states in a merciless rush. Though a headquarters was created in the United Kingdom as a base to try and maintain contact with everyone, many nations fell out of contact and went missing somewhere out amongst the abandoned lands crawling with the Undead. That headquarters still operates even after five years of the world adjusting to trying to keep the Undead at bay while simultaneously seeking a way to cure the virus that has left the peoples of the world with an endless, gruesome hunger.

Only a few key cities managed to survive the devastation wrought by the Undead:

London, where the International Headquarters currently resides and hosts those who were misplaced by the Outbreak, had enough time to construct a literal fortress of walls around the city to hold the Undead out. No one comes in and no one goes out without the approval or escort of the military. This is also the home of the Euro-Union, a council of nations that have been working diligently to discover a cure for the virus using scientific technology that is seen as controversial to their rival power, the Italian Catholic Government.

Rome, protected dutifully by the Swiss Guard, has become a religious epicenter for zealots and sinners alike. Many people viewed the Outbreak as a sign of God’s judgment, others flocking to the last safe sanctuary once London’s last gate was locked against the influx of survivors. The Vatican is one of the last remaining superpowers, though the views of the new Italian Catholic Government are often at odds with the more scientific efforts of the Euro-Union.

Moscow, as well as much of the arctic north, remained untouched by the spread of the virus. Many chose to flee deep into the snowy wastelands of Russia when news reports surfaced that the Undead were unable to survive in the cold conditions. The influx of people has greatly stimulated the country, as Russia has emerged as a growing, prosperous nation due to the sudden mass of wealth and people.

Boulder, Colorado, being the last safe spot in the territory of the Americas, Boulder serves as the only location where survivors can find military transport that will carry them to the Safe Zones of Europe. The American military works tirelessly to maintain the security of the remote mountain town, with only the terrain and weather conditions to prevent them from being overrun.

Beyond these Safe Zones, the lands beyond are unsafe territories. Some people still fight for survival as they try to make their way to the last safe havens left on the planet. Those survivors are striving to make it on a day-to-day basis, struggling to avoid succumbing to the infection themselves. Others make a profit out of hunting the Undead. These Zombie Hunters roam the outer territories in search of survivors, charging them considerable amounts to escort civilians to the Safety Checkpoints posted throughout the nations. Some of them hunt the Undead merely for sport.

The world is stuck in a delicate balance. With peaceful relations wearing thin and no solid cure yet discovered, it remains to be seen if the nations of the world will find the means to save their planet or watch on helplessly as it eventually falls completely to ruin.