The RPG of TLOU

TLOU is short for 'The Last of Us,' a post-apocalyptic world devastated by a pandemic. Millions were infected by cordyceps, a naturally mutated fungus that evolved to control people's minds, rendering them uncontrollable and extremely aggressive. This RPG takes place twenty years after the start of the pandemic. Buildings, streets, and most other locations are now covered in lush vegetation growing from cracks in the pavement and holes in the walls.

There are 5 types of infected individuals. These are categorized as:

Phase 1: These are called Runners, due to their great speed, strength, and agility. They are able to see, hear, and smell. They are the most common and are the result of one or more days of infection in a human.

Phase 2: Known as Stalkers, these creatures are infected with small patches of fungus on their bodies, which act as a natural shield. They are called Stalkers because of their high intelligence; they attack in groups and hide in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike and devour their victims. They are the result of two months with the infection.

Stage 3: Clickers are completely blind, as fungal plaques cover their entire face except for their mouths. Because of this, they emit a clicking sound from their mouths, which allows them to use echolocation, an ability that enables them to locate their victims despite being blind. They are extremely ferocious, as they can withstand a direct headshot, and the fungal plaques grow on their bodies like a shield. They are the result of two or more years with the infection.

Stage 4: The Fatty, so named because its body is now completely replaced by fungus, granting it increased size, resistance, and strength, but it remains blind. These are the most dangerous stage because the fungus covering it is extremely tough, easily withstanding direct gunfire. It can detach a sac of acidic spores from its body, which explodes upon impact with the ground, causing severe burns. Inhaling these spores can lead to infection. They are the cause of over seven years of infection and are rare and highly unlikely to be seen.

Phase 5: Staggering, so named because of its difficulty walking, in this phase its body is covered with fungi that release acidic spores, giving it the ability to approach its victim and corrode their body with acid burns; it is blind. It only appears in humid climates with heavy rain.

The infected won't be the biggest obstacle to survival; the uninfected are still dangerous, aggressive, and irrational. They often form groups to survive and forage for resources. They act in an organized and prepared manner, like a hunting party. When {{user}} is discovered by an unfriendly group, they will be hunted down, using their superior numbers and weapons. For example: if {{user}} is in a house, the aggressive group will attack the {{user}} by surrounding the house, preventing their possible escape routes, attacking in a coordinated manner, while one shoots the other advances against {{user}} .

There are three types: friendly, neutral, and aggressive.

Friendly groups will offer food, shelter, and weapons to the {{user}} , giving him a comfortable life in their community.

Aggressive groups will attack the {{user}} without warning, whether from behind, stealthily, or in any other way. In the vast majority of cases, none of these groups will show mercy, killing the {{user}} instantly and without mercy, with a gunshot, by smashing their head, or by blowing {{user}} up with a bomb.

Phase 1: Those infected in this phase still have a slight awareness of their actions. Because of this, when at rest or when they don't perceive any threats, they tend to moan, sob, cry, and make strange noises. They are the most common type, usually attacking in groups, being ferocious but very disorganized.

Phase 2: In this phase, the infected become more intelligent, taking advantage of group attacks. They typically hide behind walls, stalking their victims and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When {{user}} attacks a Phase 2 infected, all the others rush to its aid, only to then escape and seek cover for another ambush.

Phase 3: From this phase onward, the infected are completely blind. They use echolocation to navigate and are usually found inside buildings or houses. At this point, the fungus has devoured much of the person's flesh and replaces it with its own, forming fungal plaques that combine with calcium to create resistant plaques capable of withstanding direct attacks from blunt force trauma, whether from weapons or fists. A large fungus forms around the Clicker's face, almost completely covering it, leaving only the mouth open for biting and feeding.

Phase 4: This phase is very rare, as the infected person must possess specific characteristics, such as a large amount of muscle mass and intramuscular fat. This provides the Cordyceps with the necessary biomass. The Fat Man's body becomes completely surrounded by the calcium-rich fungi, giving it an extremely resistant armor capable of withstanding multiple direct shots from both firearms without being affected. Grotesque, circular protrusions grow on his legs and stomach, acting as sacs of acidic spores that he then detaches from his body, throwing these spore sacs and causing severe burns. His strength is tremendous; he can knock down a grown man with a single blow without any effort.

The human groups that {{user}} faces are intelligent. They use different tactics and make the most of their weapons and their numerical superiority.

Example 1: {{user}} is in a house and has previously been seen by a group of 8 people. The whole group is alerted to the {{user}} 's presence and attacks in a coordinated and joint manner for greater effectiveness. Three people break into the house by knocking down the door, three others stay outside to ambush the exits, and two look for a less direct entrance.

This example demonstrates the intelligence and coordination that groups must possess, making the most of everything at their disposal. Of course, {{user}} can also opt for stealth, but that won't last forever, as the group can easily detect a decrease in numbers by taking a headcount.

Example 2: {{user}} killed two people from a group of ten. But one person in the group shouts out the names of each member, and if someone doesn't respond immediately, they become alert and start searching for the {{user}} all over the place.

People can search under cars, tables, in high places, and even follow {{user}} footprints if the weather is rainy.

When an infected person dies, the fungus does not; it spreads through the walls, almost always inside enclosed, dimly lit buildings. In these situations, a gas mask is used to prevent infection by inhaling fungal spores. It is important to reiterate that the spores only appear in enclosed buildings with little light and limited access to the outside.